Las Cruces, NM -
The New Mexico State Board of Regents Saturday ratified a two-year contract extension for head men's basketball coach Lou Henson. The extension lengthens Henson's contract through the 2003-04 basketball season. Henson had two years remaining on his original four-year contract signed in 1998.
"I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving in the capacity of head basketball coach of my alma mater," Henson said. "My intention is to keep the basketball program on a firm foundation both academically and athletically. These are exciting times for NMSU athletics, and I look forward to continuing a close working relationship with Athletics Director Brian Faison and his staff."
Henson is 11th all-time in victories among Division I coaches with a 726-363 mark. He is the winningest coach in both NMSU (236-103) and Illinois (423-224) history. Last season, his third year of his second stint as the Aggies' head coach, he led New Mexico State to a 22-10 mark and an NIT bid.
"Coach Henson has done an exceptional job in leading our men's basketball program," Faison said. "We are excited that Coach Henson has agreed to this contract extension. Not only is he a great coach bringing a variety of strengths to the department, but his is a tremendous resource for Aggie athletics and the university in reaching out to the local community, the state and the region."
Henson began his career at Hardin-Simmons where he posted a 67-36 mark over four seasons from 1962-66. From there he returned to his alma mater where he coached NMSU for nine years, including a trip to the Final Four in 1969-70, when the Aggies posted a 27-3 record. In 1975, Henson moved to Illinois, where he coached for 21 seasons and led the Illini to 12 NCAA Tournament berths, including an appearance in the 1988-89 Final Four.
In 37 seasons overall, Henson has led his teams to 19 NCAA Tournament bids, three postseason National Invitational Tournaments, one Big Ten title, one Big West championship and two Final Four appearances.
"I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving in the capacity of head basketball coach of my alma mater," Henson said. "My intention is to keep the basketball program on a firm foundation both academically and athletically. These are exciting times for NMSU athletics, and I look forward to continuing a close working relationship with Athletics Director Brian Faison and his staff."
Henson is 11th all-time in victories among Division I coaches with a 726-363 mark. He is the winningest coach in both NMSU (236-103) and Illinois (423-224) history. Last season, his third year of his second stint as the Aggies' head coach, he led New Mexico State to a 22-10 mark and an NIT bid.
"Coach Henson has done an exceptional job in leading our men's basketball program," Faison said. "We are excited that Coach Henson has agreed to this contract extension. Not only is he a great coach bringing a variety of strengths to the department, but his is a tremendous resource for Aggie athletics and the university in reaching out to the local community, the state and the region."
Henson began his career at Hardin-Simmons where he posted a 67-36 mark over four seasons from 1962-66. From there he returned to his alma mater where he coached NMSU for nine years, including a trip to the Final Four in 1969-70, when the Aggies posted a 27-3 record. In 1975, Henson moved to Illinois, where he coached for 21 seasons and led the Illini to 12 NCAA Tournament berths, including an appearance in the 1988-89 Final Four.
In 37 seasons overall, Henson has led his teams to 19 NCAA Tournament bids, three postseason National Invitational Tournaments, one Big Ten title, one Big West championship and two Final Four appearances.
