Dave Rose Signs Extension To Remain as Head Coach of BYU

Dave Rose, the fourth winningest active coach in NCAA Division I basketball, signed a new contract to be head coach of BYU after leading his team to the Sweet 16. The new deal comes just two weeks after the team’s first appearance in the Sweet 16 in 30 years and suppresses fears from Cougar faithful who worried that Rose might bolt for a more prominent program.

BYU faithful are now assured that Rose will continue to build the program in the post-Jimmer Fredette era. Rose’s name had been mentioned in conjunction with vacant spots at Oklahoma, Missouri and N.C. State. Rumors had also circulated widely in online communities that Rose was unhappy with the BYU football team’s move to independence, forcing the basketball team to move to the West Coast Conference. 

However, Rose cleared up any confusion during the press conference. "One thing I want to make clear is that our vision is in alignment," said Rose regarding his relationship with the BYU athletic department.

The Cougar basketball team finished the season with a school record 32 wins and ranked 13^th in the final USA TODAY/ESPN men’s basketball coaches’ poll released yesterday. The financial terms of the deal from the private university were not disclosed other than to say that he had received a raise and that the contract would extend through the 2015-2016 season.

“It's been a great six years and we'd like to see a continuation of the things that he's done,” said Tom Holmoe, athletic director at BYU.

Questions about the future of BYU assistant Dave Rice remain. Rice has been named as one of four finalists in UNLV's search for a head coach to replace Lon Kruger, who left for the Oklahoma head coaching vacancy.