STORRS, Conn. (June 25, 2008) -- The University of Connecticut and head women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma have agreed to terms for a new five-year contract that will run from July 1, 2008 through April 15, 2013.

Auriemma recently competed his 23rd season in charge of the UConn program and owns an all-time record of 657-122 (.843). He has led the Huskies to five NCAA national championships and nine appearances in the NCAA Final Four, including a trip in 2008. He has also led the Huskies to 16 BIG EAST Conference regular season titles and 14 conference tournament championships. His Huskies have appeared in the NCAA Sweet 16 for the past 15 consecutive seasons.

Auriemma is a member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, with both inductions coming in 2006. During his tenure in Storrs, he has produced eight Olympians, six National Players of the Year and 11 First Team All-Americans. He has been named the national coach of the year in six different seasons and the BIG EAST coach of the year seven times.

Auriemma will have a base salary of $300,000 in the first year of the new contract and that amount will increase by $25,000 annually throughout the contract. In addition to his base salary, Auriemma is receiving $1,100,000 in the first year of the contract for speaking and media appearances and that amount will increase by $75,000 annually throughout the contract.

Auriemma will also receive compensation for additional services if the UConn team advances to the NCAA tournament. Auriemma will receive one month’s base salary if the Huskies play in the NCAA tournament, two months for an appearance in the NCAA Final Four and three months for winning the NCAA national championship. Auriemma will receive the greater of half a month’s base salary if he is named the national coach of the year or one-quarter of a month’s base salary if he is named the BIG EAST coach of the year.

“The University of Connecticut is very pleased to announce this new contract,” says UConn Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway. “We believe that Geno Auriemma is the finest women’s basketball coach in the country. He has brought great pride and honor to our institution for over two decades. Geno’s teams have achieved greatness on the court while also serving as some of the finest ambassadors in the history of the University.

“Like all of our other UConn coaches, Geno is an outstanding leader and educator for the young people in our program. In addition, he has become a very active and respected member of our Connecticut community.”

 “I want to thank President Michael Hogan and athletic director Jeff Hathaway for all their support,” says Auriemma. “The people of Connecticut have been very supportive of our program for over 20 years now. This new contract is a direct reflection of the University’s commitment to me and the commitment that my family and I have to the University.”