Fordham will be extending men’s basketball coach Tom Pecora’s contract through the 2016-17 season, it was announced Tuesday.
In Pecora’s second season with Fordham, the Rams finished 10-19 (3-13) and had winning home (9-6) and non-conference records (7-6) for the first time since 2006-07. The Rams’ biggest wins came last December against Georgia Tech (72-66) and an upset win against No. 22 Harvard (60-54) last January.
“I’m grateful to the University for making this commitment to myself, my staff and my family,” Pecora said. “Since our first day at Fordham we have been doing everything possible to get this tradition-rich program back to where it should be and we will continue to work hard in order to accomplish our goals and represent Fordham in a first-class manner.”
Pecora originally signed a five-year contract with Fordham in March 2010 after serving as Hofstra’s head coach for nine seasons. Pecora led the Pride to a 155-126 record and earned four postseason berths.
Fordham’s record has steadily improved since Pecora took the reins prior to the 2010-11 season. The Rams’ 17 combined wins over the past two seasons matches the program’s win total from 2007-08 through 2009-10.
The news of Pecora’s extension comes on the heels of Fordham announcing its recruiting class for the 2012-13 season. Fordham’s recruiting class includes Travion Leonard (Raleigh, N.C./Kestrel Heights School (Lee Academy)), Jermaine Myers (Ajax, Ontario/Culver Academy (Blair Academy)), Ryan Rhoomes (Middletown, N.Y./Cardoza) and Mandell Thomas (Rochester, N.Y./ Rush-Henrietta (Notre Dame Prep)).
The school also recently announced that longtime Athletic Director Frank McLaughlin has been promoted to Associate Vice President of Student Affairs for Athletic Alumni Relations and External Affars and Athletic Director Emeritus. McLaughlin has served as the school’s athletic director for 27 years.
asulla-heffinger@nypost.com