Tim Cluess receives contract extension through 2019-20 season

Tim Cluess, who led Iona to 26 wins this season, received contract extension today that keeps him in New Rochelle through 2019-20 season. (Photo courtesy of Brian Beyrer via Iona College Athletics)

While the future is in limbo around some college basketball landscapes in the metropolitan area, it is anything but that at Iona.

Tim Cluess, who has won 118 games since arriving in New Rochelle five years ago, was rewarded with a contract extension once again, ensuring that he will be at the helm of the Gaels through, at least, the 2019-20 season.

The 56-year-old coach, who is the fourth-winningest leader in program history, has resurrected the illustrious history at Iona, reaching the postseason in each season on the sidelines at the Hynes Athletics Center since his hire in 2010 after Kevin Willard left for Seton Hall. In Cluess' tenure, the Gaels have developed nine all-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference first team selections, with three conference Player of the Year honorees, as well as a pair of MBWA Haggerty Award winners in Scott Machado and Lamont (Momo) Jones.

"Five straight 20-win seasons and postseason appearances have never happened in the rich history of men's basketball at Iona College," athletic director Rick Cole stated in a release issued this afternoon. "Tim Cluess remains committed to Iona Athletics' mission of building champions, both on and off the court, and we're proud to have him as our head coach."

It was speculated that Cluess, the 2014 Coach of the Year in the MAAC, would perhaps be a candidate at St. John's University; where he played for Lou Carnesecca before finishing his career at Hofstra, if the Red Storm were to part ways with Steve Lavin. However, a 26-win campaign this year, highlighted by the Gaels' second consecutive regular season MAAC championship and subsequent berth in the National Invitation Tournament, made the decision for Iona to secure their long-term future even more of a no-brainer.

"Coach Cluess continues to lead our men to tremendous success," college president Dr. Joseph Nyre said. "We have always believed he is the right man for Iona basketball."