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St. Joe's Phil Martelli gets multiyear contract extension

Phil Martelli has won more basketball games at St. Joseph's than any other coach. On Thursday, St. Joe's demonstrated that it wants him to continue his winning ways there, signing him a multiyear contract extension.

Phil Martelli has won more basketball games at St. Joseph's than any other coach. On Thursday, St. Joe's demonstrated that it wants him to continue his winning ways there, signing him a multiyear contract extension.

Terms of the deal were not released.

"My successes are directly related to the quality of people who have played for me. To each of them, I am forever grateful," Martelli said. "Our players, staff, and administrators are wonderful people who care for the program and the university. St. Joseph's has always been the perfect place for my family and me."

Martelli, entering his 21st season at St. Joe's, has a career record of 375-265. During that time, the Hawks have won at least 20 games in a season eight times. He set the school record for wins in a season in 2003-04, when the Hawks won 30 games and Martelli was named national coach of the year.

Martelli's teams are 185-137 in the Atlantic Ten, the most conference wins for all active conference coaches, and he has been voted the A-10 coach of the year four times. His 17 postseason wins (6 NCAA, 11 NIT) are the most in school history. Under Martelli, the Hawks have reached the postseason 12 times. The Hawks have twice won the Atlantic Ten championship under Martelli, most recently in 2014.

Martelli began his career at St. Joe's as an assistant in 1986. He was promoted to head coach in 1995.

Martelli said the contract extension was only news to those who were hearing it announced for the first time on Thursday.

"Basically, it's been done for a long stretch of time, but it became relevant because basketball is now here," Martelli said. "I'm appreciative. I enjoyed working through it with [former president] Father [Kevin] Gillespie, and then Dr. Reed [current president Mark C. Reed] coming on and also working with Don [DiJulia, athletic director.

"To me, I'm still responsible to represent this university in a positive fashion, both on and off the court, and to lift the spirits of the students, alums, fans, parents of the players, and that's what I'll continue to do - whether I had a piece of paper that said X number of years or a piece of paper that said X number of games."

St. Joe's returns four starters from a team that went 13-18 last season. The Hawks open the season on Nov. 13 at home against Drexel.

jmitchell@philly.com

@JmitchInquirer