Boston College Athletics
Skinner Receives Contract Extension
September 04, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Sept. 4, 2001
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College men's basketball coach Al Skinner has received a four-year extension of his contract that will take him through the 2007-2008 season. Skinner was name Boston College's head coach on April 17, 1997.
"We are absolutely delighted to announce the extension of Al Skinner's contract," says Boston College director of athletics Gene DeFilippo. "We believe that Al is one of the top college basketball coaches in the country and we look forward to having him here at Boston College for many years to come."
Skinner and his Eagles enjoyed an outstanding 2000-2001 season as Boston College registered a school-record 27 victories, while capturing the BIG EAST East Division's regular-season crown and the 2001 BIG EAST Championship tournament title. The Eagles earned their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1997, defeating Southern Utah in the first round, before finishing the season with a 74-71 loss to Southern California.
"When I came here to Boston College in 1997, it was with the intent of staying on a long-term basis," says Skinner. "This contract extension will enable me to do that. I am extremely happy about this announcement."
Skinner garnered national coach-of-the-years honors following the 2000-2001 season from CBS-Chevrolet, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, ESPN The Magazine and the United States Basketball Writers Association.
Skinner, 49, became head coach at Boston College after spending nine seasons as the head coach at Rhode Island. He guided URI to three 20-win seasons and four postseason appearances.
A 1974 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Skinner starred on the Minutemen's basketball team. A forward, he finished his collegiate career with 1,235 points (16th on school's career list), 749 rebounds (his 9.5 rebounds per game average ranks 10th all-time) and 320 assists (ninth). A team captain in 1973-74, he has subsequently been elected to the University's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Skinner began his coaching career in 1982 as an assistant at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. After two seasons, he joined the Rhode Island staff as an assistant.
