Canisius College Extends MacDonald's Contract

Canisius College Vice President for Student Affairs Ellen O. Conley, PhD, announced today that men's basketball coach Mike MacDonald has signed a contract extension.

After starting the season 1-9, MacDonald's team won 10 of its last 19 contests to finish the 2004-05 campaign with an 11-18 record. That stretch included a 62-60 victory over Marist in the MAAC Tournament, the Griffs' first tournament win since they advanced to the
semifinals in 2002.

“One of the main factors we look for when evaluating our coaches is progress,” said Conley. “I believe that Mike made tremendous progress over the course of this season and has our program moving in the right direction.”

The Golden Griffins posted an 8-10 league record to tie for seventh in the MAAC. It was the most league wins and highest finish for Canisius since the 2000-01 season. MacDonald will enter the 2005-06 campaign, his ninth as the head coach of Canisius, with a 99-133 record, one victory shy of becoming the fourth coach in program history to post 100 wins.

“I'm obviously excited about the opportunity to continue my coaching career at Canisius,” said MacDonald. “I believe we will continue the progress we made this season and that our program will challenge for a spot in the top-half of the league next season.”

The Golden Griffins return four starters and 10 letterwinners to the 2005-06 team, including two-time second-team All-MAAC selection Kevin Downey. The team will also welcome two junior transfers, Corey Herring and Ola Matti, to the roster. They both sat out last season because of NCAA transfer rules.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Kevin Downey: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#- Corey Herring: G; 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior

#- Ola Matti: F; 6' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Kevin Downey
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#- Corey Herring
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#- Ola Matti
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

Players Mentioned

#3 Kevin Downey

#- Corey Herring

#- Ola Matti

Players Mentioned

#3 Kevin Downey

#- Corey Herring

#- Ola Matti