Wednesday, June 20, 2001

Johnson City, Tenn. -- East Tennessee State University announced today that men's basketball head coach Ed DeChellis has signed a two-year contract extension that lasts through the 2004-05 season. "Not only has Ed DeChellis restored the winning tradition of East Tennessee State basketball," athletic director Todd Stansbury said. "He has recruited the type of student-athlete that everyone can be proud of. Coach DeChellis' program produces student-athletes that win on the floor and, more importantly, excel in life." The 2001 Southern Conference Coach of the Year, DeChellis led last year's squad to the SoCon North Division Championship and the best record by any conference member (13-3). The Bucs' 18 overall wins was the most during his five-year tenure. The Monaca, Penn., native led the 2000-01 team to a seven-game win streak, the longest since the 1991-92 season. Also last season, the Bucs captured their largest margin of victory in a non-conference game and in a Southern Conference game. After taking over a team that won just seven games in 1995-96, DeChellis has improved the Buccaneer program every year, including last year's Conference title. He has compiled a 67-71 (.486) record in five years, and is 49-36 (.576) in the last three years. "I would like to thank Dr. Paul Stanton and Todd Stansbury for their support of the men's basketball program," DeChellis said. "Their confidence in the direction of this program inspires me to continue our quest for an NCAA Tournament bid."