Already
the winningest coach through her first five years in program history,
Florida women's basketball coach Amanda Butler had her contract extended
through the 2016-17 season, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced
Wednesday.
"I
like the direction our program is headed," Foley said. "We know Amanda
will be our coach for a long time. We're excited about the future of the
Gator women's basketball program."
The
only coach to lead the Gators to a postseason berth in each of her
inaugural five years, Butler guided the 2012 squad to the NCAA
Tournament where Florida fell to eventual NCAA champion Baylor and
capped the season with the program's 12th 20-win season and the third
under Butler.
Through
her first five seasons at her alma mater where Butler has compiled a
98-67 record, two Gators have earned All-America honors under her
tutelage, while three have been voted First Team All-Southeastern
Conference and three have earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.
The Gators have compiled 16 total SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades
during Butler's tenure, with eight Gators having earned a spot on the
SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll.
"It's
always great to be a Florida Gator," Butler said. "To have the
confidence that Jeremy has in my staff and me feels fantastic. It makes
us even more excited about the future of the program and where it's
headed. We're at the best university in the country under the best
leadership in the country and to have their vote of confidence means
everything."
