VCU sign head coach Phil Martelli Jr. to an extension after March Madness run

[p]Martelli, 44, led the Rams to a stunning 82-78 overtime victory over UNC during the first round of the NCAA tournament last week - marking their first in a decade. Unfortunately for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/vcu-rams/pWCr2cpS/"]VCU[/a], their tournament run ended after they took a 76-55 beatdown from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/illinois-fighting-illini/UXswRQed/"]Illinois[/a] in the Round of 32. [/p][embed guid="a32052be-0bc4-4afa-b3fc-4237d26fd2a2" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQ7x05Ufr8" social-type="youtube" /][p]VCU finished with a 28-8 record - second-most wins (29) in school history - and won 17 of their last 18 under Martelli's first season with the team. He had previously coached at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bryant-university/2VHOlrA9/"]Bryant University[/a] for two seasons (2023-2024), the latter of which he led them to an American East Conference Championship and a tournament birth.[/p][p][b]"Coach Martelli showed all season that he embodies the leadership qualities ‌we want in our head men's basketball ⁠coach,"[/b] said VCU athletic director ‌Ed McLaughlin[b]. "He made history in his ​first season by winning the Atlantic 10 Championship and an NCAA Tournament game, and continued the standard ​of excellence that we have created and come to expect. I want to ensure we keep Coach Martelli and ⁠give him the opportunity ​to build on the amazing foundation we have solidified at VCU with three A-10 Championships in the last four years and appearances in 12 of the past 15 NCAA ‌Tournaments."[/b][/p][p][b]"I am grateful to the players and the staff who believed in the vision and worked tirelessly to ensure its continued success," [/b]said Martelli. [b]"We are very fortunate to be at such a storied program and look forward to continuing our short- and long-term ‌pursuit of adding to its rich legacy. Go Rams!"[/b][/p][embed guid="fa39a060-edfa-4aca-844b-40842902378d" url="https://x.com/CBBonFOX/status/2035578082917298305?s=20" social-type="twitter" /]