Penn Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. M. Grace Calhoun announced a multi-year contract extension through the 2020-21 season for women’s basketball head coach Mike McLaughlin.
McLaughlin was the fastest coach in women’s college basketball history (any level) to reach 400 wins and holds a career record of 494-148 (.769). Entering his seventh season at Penn, he has built the Quakers into a perennial Ivy League contender. The Red and Blue have won 20 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history, clinched an Ivy League championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2013-14, and won the program’s first-ever Big 5 title in 2014-15. Penn has reached the postseason in each of the last three years (a school record), won the first three postseason games in program history, and just completed the winningest four-year stretch in program history.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Mike’s character, leadership and integrity at Penn,” Calhoun said. “He has done a tremendous job with the women’s basketball program, and embodies everything we value in a coach. He is a terrific teacher and mentor, and is beloved and respected by his student-athletes, his peers, the alumni and all those involved with the program. We are proud to have Mike at Penn and excited for the future of Penn women’s basketball.”
“I am extremely appreciative of the support Grace has shown for our program, and the confidence she has shown in me and my staff,” said McLaughlin, who has won back-to-back Big 5 Coach of the Year honors. “This is a very special place and I love being a part of it. Our administration, donors, alumni and fans are extremely dedicated to the success of all our athletes, and combined with an Ivy League education, Penn provides one of the best student-athlete experiences in the world.”
McLaughlin improved Penn’s record for four straight seasons which was capped with a school record 22 wins in 2013-14. He holds an overall record of 87-87 at Penn, which includes a mark of 43-16 (.728) over the last two seasons. His seven Big 5 wins are the most in school history.
McLaughlin’s teams have been extraordinarily active off the court in support of local, national and international causes. The “Charge for a Cure” initiative raised nearly $10,000, which is in addition to the $6,500 raised for breast cancer awareness and the 400-plus pairs of shoes collected for Haitian citizens in need after the nation’s devastating earthquake. The Quakers also adopted 13-year-old Emily Miccarelli, a brain cancer survivor, through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation for the 2009-10 season. In addition, in his 20 seasons as a head coach, McLaughlin’s four-year players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
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Photo Courtesy Penn Athletics
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