Northwestern plans to reward Chris Collins with a contract extension at the conclusion of the season, Northwestern AD Derrick Gragg exclusively told College Hoops Today on Monday.
“I’m extremely proud of him” Gragg told College Hoops Today on Monday morning regarding Collins. “We obviously want Coach Collins to be our head coach for as long as we can possibly keep him. Chris is a guy that you want to root for.”
Collins’ current deal runs through the 2024-25 season. The 48-year old coach has led the Wildcats to unexpected heights this season after losing both Pete Nance to North Carolina and Ryan Young to Duke via the transfer portal. Northwestern is currently 21-10 overall and will be the No. 2 seed in this week’s Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. The Wildcats were also ranked 28th in this week’s ROTHSTEIN 45.
“Chris set the tone in our postseason meeting after last season,” Gragg added. “To do what he’s done after losing two of our best players is outstanding. They were picked 13th in the preseason. To finish second overall and earn the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament is an incredible accomplishment.”
Collins previously led Northwestern to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history in 2017. While this team’s success is more unexpected, the Wildcats are in position to earn a better seed on Selection Sunday than they did six years ago.
Leftovers
- Episode 397 — Georgetown’s Ed Cooley
- Weekend Brunch: Why Zach Edey’s return means that Purdue’s expectations are again “Final Four or bust”
- Creighton/UNLV, New Mexico/Santa Clara to headline Jack Jones Classic
- USC to play Kansas State, Oregon to face Georgia on opening night in Las Vegas
- Saint Mary’s no longer slated for Diamond Head Classic, will instead play in Continental Tire Main event with Xavier, SDSU, and Washington
