The University of Akron Athletics
Dambrot Agrees To New Seven-Year Contract
April 28 | Men's Basketball
– University of Akron head men's basketball coach Keith
Dambrot has agreed in principle to a new seven-year contract,
director of athletics Mack Rhoades announced on Friday. While other
details are still being finalized, the new deal will rank Dambrot's
salary among the top third of Mid-American Conference coaches.
Dambrot, who has compiled a 68-27 record (38-14 in MAC play) in
three seasons at the helm of the Zips program, is now under
contract through the 2014 season. He signed a five-year deal on
Dec. 22, 2006, and today's announcement supersedes that.
"Keith has done an excellent job leading this basketball program,"
Rhoades said. "He holds a special place in the hearts and minds of
the people in this region and we know this is where he wants to
remain. This contract is not only a reward for his team's
performances over the past three years, but a reflection of how the
program continues to make progress. We feel the pieces are really
coming together to make Akron basketball one of the premier
programs in the Mid-American Conference."
This season, the 48-year-old Dambrot led the Zips to their first
MAC East Division championship since 1998 and a 26-7 record (13-3
MAC) en rout to falling to Miami (Ohio) 53-52 on a 3-point
buzzer-beater in the league tournament championship game. That was
the Zips' first appearance in the conference tourney title contest.
Those 26 wins tied the school record for victories in a season, as
the 1971-72 team posted an identical number. Further, Akron
achieved its second consecutive 20-win season (23-10 in 2005-06).
The program went 19-10 in 2004-05.
During Dambrot's tenure, the Zips have posted a 40-2 mark at home,
including a 13-1 record this season. This year's lone loss came to
top-25 ranked Nevada 73-71 on Dec. 22, and snapped a 21-game home
winning streak (fourth-longest nationally at that time).
Over the past three seasons, the Zips have gained the attention of
the national pollsters and closed out this year on the "others
receiving votes" listing in the final Associated Press and ESPN/USA
Today Coaches polls. Additionally, UA was ranked No. 10 in the
final CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25, after reaching as high
as No. 7 three times throughout the season.
"I am excited about the long-term commitment the University has
made to our program and because of that our program continues to
grow," Dambrot said. "I want to thank University president Dr. Luis
Proenza and director of athletics Mack Rhoades for all they have
done for us. Akron is where I want to be. It's where I grew up,
it's where my mother taught and it's where my family lives. I'm
proud to be the coach here, and want to continue to improve and
grow this program into a source of pride for the Akron
community."
An Akron native and alum of the University, Dambrot served as an
assistant coach on the UA basketball staff for the three seasons
prior to his current post. Before that he spent three seasons at
Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, leading the Irish to a
69-10 record and two state championships thanks to the help of
current UA seniors Dru Joyce and Romeo
Travis, and NBA Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James.
Dambrot's late mother, Faye, was a trend-setting professor at the
University, teaching in the psychology department and being
instrumental in forming the Women's Studies Program.
