May 23, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Athletic director Deborah A. Yow announced today that University of Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams, who guided the Terps to the school's first-ever appearance in the Final Four this past season, has signed a new contract which significantly enhances the guaranteed financial terms of his previous agreement.

In addition, the bonus portion of the contract will be split equally between competitive achievement and academic achievement of the men's basketball student-athletes. The guaranteed compensation includes a base salary of $189,154 in 2001-02 and $199,600 in 2002-03, along with compensation for radio and television appearances, apparel endorsements, a car stipend, and an annuity. The contract now runs until May 2008.

Williams, who was named the Terps' head coach in June of 1989, has completed his 12th season at the helm of the Maryland basketball program. At the University of Maryland, he has posted a cumulative record of 242-139 (.637) and an NCAA Tournament mark of 13-8. Six of his last seven teams have won at least 20 games, including four that have won at least 25.

The men's basketball program is one of only seven nationally to boast a string of eight consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and is one of just six to reach the NCAA's Sweet Sixteen in five of the last eight seasons. Williams is joined by Lute Olson, Tubby Smith and Roy Williams as the only coaches on both lists. In 23 seasons as a Division I head coach, he has guided 11 teams to the NCAA Tournament and seven to the Sweet Sixteen.

"By continuing to guide the Terrapin men's basketball program to new levels of competitive achievement, capped off by our recent appearance in the Final Four, Coach Williams has clearly earned this new contract," said Yow. "Men's basketball has obviously been one of the most successful of our intercollegiate sports teams over the past eight years."

Said Williams, "I intend to finish my coaching career at the University of Maryland, and this contract allows me to do that. Since I have been the head coach at Maryland, I have never pursued another coaching job. Not everyone has the privilege of coaching at their alma mater. To be here, coaching at Maryland, is special. I'd also like to thank my personal lawyer, Don McCartney, for his assistance with the contract negotiations."

This past season, the Terps advanced to the Final Four for the first time in school history and finished the campaign ranked fourth nationally in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll. That tied Maryland's highest final ranking ever, matching a No. 4 mark in both final polls in 1974. The Terps, who entered the season with a ranking of No. 5, posted a record of 25-11. Maryland won 10 of 11 games down the stretch, including a victory over top-seeded Stanford in the NCAA West Region final to advance to the national semifinals in Minneapolis.