Fernandez Signs Extension

University of South Florida head women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez signed a contract extension through the 2017-18 season.

Through 13 years as USF’s head coach, Fernandez turned a team that had never been to the postseason into a perennial contender. The Bulls have qualified for postseason play in nine of the last 10 seasons, including USF’s only two NCAA tournament appearances.

Fernandez, who is the program’s all-time leader in victories, gave USF its first national championship in 2009 when the Bulls topped Kansas for the WNIT title. He topped that in 2012-13 by picking up 22 wins (including his 200th-career victory) and leading USF to the brink of the Sweet 16. USF beat Texas Tech in the first round of the tournament before losing overtime to California, which went on to the Final Four. USF’s win over Texas Tech was the first NCAA Tournament win in USF women’s basketball history.

Boasting a 211-195 overall record, Fernandez’ Bulls hold a .569 winning percentage over the past five seasons, including a pair of 20-win seasons in 2008-09 and 2012-13. Fernandez is responsible for seven of USF’s 10 winning seasons in the last 35 years, and is the only Bulls’ coach to win at least 19 games, accomplishing the feat six times.

Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.