Emmitsburg, Md. (April 3, 2008)--Mount St. Mary's University and men's basketball head coach Milan Brown have reached agreement on a five-year contract extension. As per university policy, financial terms of the agreement were not released.

Brown guided the Mount to the NCAA Tournament this season for the first time since 1999.  The Mountaineers defeated Coppin State, 69-60, in the NCAA Opening Round game for the first Division I NCAA Tournament win in school history.  The Mount then lost to top-ranked North Carolina in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in Raleigh, N.C.

The Mount finished this season with a 19-15 record, the second-most wins by a Mount team since the school moved to NCAA Division I in 1988-89 and the first winning season since 1996-97.  Brown guided the Mount to its first NEC title since 1999 and led the team to the most road wins (10) in a season in the Division I era.

“Coach Milan Brown personifies leadership, one of the Mount’s four pillars,” said Dr. Thomas Powell, Mount St. Mary's University President.  “His excellence in coaching molded this championship team and assured the Mount a proud place in basketball history. We congratulate him on his success and his contract extension.” 

It has been a steady progression for the Mount men’s basketball team in recent years under Brown.  Two years ago, the Mount hosted its first Northeast Conference Tournament game in 10 seasons.  Last year, the Mount earned its first NEC Tournament victory since the 1999-2000 season before capturing this year’s crown, winning the final two games on the road.

“I am thankful for the confidence that Dr. Powell and the administration has shown me and we will continue to work hard to achieve our goals.  We are excited about the future of Mount St. Mary’s basketball,” said Brown.  “Obviously, my family and I are thrilled that we will continue to be part of the Mount St. Mary’s community.” 

Since taking over the men's basketball program after the retirement of legendary Mount St. Mary's head coach Jim Phelan, Brown has guided the Mountaineers to Northeast Conference playoff appearances in four of his five seasons at the school.  The Mount is 31-23 in NEC regular season games the past three seasons, finishing fourth each year.

A 1993 graduate of Howard University, Brown had his number retired by his alma mater in 2005. He served as an assistant coach at the Mount from 1997-2000, helping lead the team to the NCAA Tournament in 1999. After a two-year stint at William & Mary, he returned in Phelan's final season as associate head coach before taking over as head coach.