Haith Signs New Five-Year Contract
April 7, 2008
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Miami President Donna Shalala and incoming Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt announced today that head men’s basketball coach Frank Haith has signed a new five-year contract to run through the 2012-13 season. Terms of the contract were not released.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
“Frank Haith has done a tremendous job in elevating the men’s basketball program into one of the premier teams in both the ACC and in the nation,” said Hocutt. “His character, dedication and relationship with his student-athletes and staff members are beyond reproach, and the University of Miami is proud to have one of the top young coaches in the nation.”
In his fourth season at the helm in 2007-08, Haith led the Hurricanes to one of their most successful campaigns in school history. Culminating in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Haith guided Miami to a 10-game turnaround – among the best in the nation – to finish 23-11 overall, including a win over then-No. 4 Duke.
“I want to thank the University, and especially President Shalala, Kirby Hocutt and Paul Dee, for their belief in this basketball program,” said Haith. “The success we have achieved is a direct reflection of the dedication and perseverance of my staff and players.
“This contract provides stability for this program and gives my staff and I the opportunity, through our recruiting efforts, to build upon the solid foundation we have in place. We will continue our hard work in moving this program forward.”
Under Haith’s tutelage this season, the Hurricanes produced their first All-ACC First Team selection in Jack McClinton, who was the only member of the First Team to also earn All-ACC Academic Team honors. Over the last three years, Miami has led all ACC men’s basketball programs with six academic team honorees.
Haith has guided Miami to three postseason appearances and has compiled 11 wins over ranked teams in his first four years – more than any other UM men’s basketball coach in that same span. In addition, the Hurricanes have shown improvement in just about every statistical category, and led the ACC in three-point field goal percentage last season, while ranking among the league’s top three in scoring defense, free throw percentage and field goal percent defense.
After getting off to one of the best starts in school history in 2007-08, winning 12 straight and claiming the Puerto Rico Tip Off championship, the Hurricanes were ranked as high as 19th in the country. Miami went on to finish a program-high fifth in the ACC and compile a program-best 14-2 record at the BankUnited Center, while averaging the highest attendance since UM brought basketball games on campus five years ago.
“I have no doubt that Frank Haith is the right person to continue to take this men’s basketball program to new heights,” said Athletic Director Paul Dee. “The progress this team has shown is exceptional and Frank deserves a lot of credit.”
In 2005, Haith was named the 2005 National Association of Basketball Coaches District Coach of the Year and was a finalist for Naismith National Coach of the Year honors. Prior to becoming Miami’s head coach in April 2004, Haith spent 15 seasons as an assistant at the Division I level where he helped lead teams to an NIT Championship, three NCAA Sweet Sixteens, one Elite Eight and one Final Four.
