Ben Braun gets 2-year contract extension

August 12, 2011 --

Ben Braun, Rice Owls head coach, has agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension. Braun became the Owls' head coach in April, 2008 and the two-year extension will keep him the program's head coach through the 2015-16 season.

Rick Greenspan, the Rice Owls' Director of Athletics made the announcement.

"Ben Braun is a proven winner and a coach dedicated to developing young men athletically, academically and socially," Greenspan said. "At Rice we have lofty ambitions for our men's basketball program which I am confident will be reached under Ben's guidance and leadership. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his ability to develop scholar-athletes, mentor assistant coaches and represent our University with pride and dignity. I look forward to the continued growth of our program."

"I am very pleased to sign a contract extension at Rice University," Braun said. "With our current players and staff in place, I believe our future is very promising. I would like to thank Rick Greenspan for the great leadership and vision he has shown our program and would also like to acknowledge President David Leebron for his ongoing support of our team and Rice Athletics."

Last year Braun's team posted a 14-18 record, marking the most victories by an Owl team since the 2006-07 season and the team's 5-11 conference mark doubled the program's total conference wins from the past three combined seasons. Along the way, the Owls beat LSU and TCU in back-to-back games, swept cross-town rival Houston for the first time since 1993 and posted its first series win over a Memphis team which would advance to the NCAA Tournament.

More information is included in the school's press release.