[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2015-16 college basketball season is only just getting underway, but Michigan men’s basketball coach John Beilein is in the Elite Eight.
Entering his ninth year with the program, the university announced a two-year extension to Beilein’s contract Wednesday that will keep the 2014 Big Ten Coach of the Year in Ann Arbor through the 2020-21 season.
“John is one of the most respected coaches in the country and revered people within the university community,” University of Michigan interim athletic director Jim Hackett said. “While he has accomplished many great things on the basketball court, it is his leadership, guidance and role as an educator that truly makes him one of our great ambassadors. We look forward to John continuing to represent the University of Michigan for many years to come.”
His progress deep into the NCAA Tournament the past few years was reflected in the extension by way of a significant raise, bumping his annual pay from $2.45 million to $3.37 million, making him the second-highest paid coach in the Big Ten behind Michigan State’s Tom Izzo.
Here’s how Beilein, 62, stacks up with the highest paid NCAA basketball coaches based on 2015 salary info (courtesy USA Today):
| Coach | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| John Calipari | $6.36 million |
| Mike Krzyzewski | $6.04 |
| Rick Pitino | $6.01 |
| Bill Self | $4.96 |
| Tom Izzo | $4.01 |
| John Beilein | $3.37 |
Last year marked the first season since 2009-10 that Michigan missed the NCAA Tournament under Beilein. Already dealing with departures thanks to the successes of the previous years, the Wolverines were decimated by long-term absences to their two most talented players in Derrick Walton and Caris LeVert. Both players return this season for a team expected to compete for a conference title, including the senior Levert, a preseason all-Big Ten selection for the second consecutive year.
In his eight years since arriving from West Virginia, Beilein has compiled an overall record of 166–110 (.601), including 78–66 (.542) in Big Ten play. Michigan has appeared in the NCAA Tournament five times since his arrival, entering a sustained period of success under his guidance. Prior to his hiring, their last appearance was in 1997-98 under former coach Brian Ellerbe.
Michigan opens the regular season on Nov. 13 against Northern Michigan at Crisler Arena.
