UR extends contracts of women’s, men’s basketball coaches

The University of Richmond has extended the contracts of men’s basketball coach Chris Mooney and women’s basketball coach Michael Shafer. UR announced the extensions at a news conference this afternoon.

Spiders athletic director Jim Miller declined to discuss terms or length of the extensions. He said UR expects “to consistently and successfully compete for Atlantic 10 championships and earn postseason opportunities.“ Today’s extensions, Miller said, “are based on the recognition that we have made significant progress and are well-positioned to accomplish our objectives.“

Mooney’s Richmond teams have gone 53-68 overall, 27-36 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Last season, the Spiders qualified for the College Basketball Invitational, UR’s only postseason appearance with Mooney as coach.

Shafer will carry a four-year record of 61-59 (29-29 in the Atlantic 10) into this weekend’s A-10 tournament in Charlotte, N.C. The 2008-09 season has been his best: 9-5 against conference opposition, 21-8 overall. The Spiders, who have earned a bye in the opening round of the A-10 tournament, are regarded as an NCAA bubble team and an all-but-sure NIT selection should the NCAA not come calling on Selection Monday.

Shafer’s clubs have experienced conspicuously bad luck with injuries since his arrival before the 2005-06 season. This year has been no exception. UR has climbed to the doorstep of NCAA consideration despite losing three starters (point guard Kara Powell, forward Katie Holzer and forward Samantha Bilney) to injury. Powell and Holzer haven’t played a minute.

Thus shorn of much of its offensive firepower, UR is winning with defense. It leads the A-10 in steals (10.76 per game) and ranks second in scoring defense (56.1 ppg).