The Chattanooga Mocs have awarded head men's basketball coach a six-year contract extension.
That comes after a regular season Southern Conference title and run to the team's first NIT Championship. "Dan is a proven commodity," Vice Chancellor for Athletics Mark Wharton said. "We had great faith in who he was as a leader around this time three years ago when we hired him. That faith has been rewarded well beyond wins and championships. We are excited to get this new agreement completed to reward him and his staff for jobs well done." Earl's 2024-25 edition tied the school record in wins with 29 matching another SoCon Championship team from 2015-16. They marched through their NIT bracket winning at Middle Tennessee, at home over Dayton and on the road again at Bradley. That led to Indianapolis where Loyola Chicago and UC Irvine were dispatched in just the second national tournament title in school history (1977 NCAA DII). He is 68-38 (.642) over his three seasons with a 34-20 (.630) mark in SoCon play. "Very appreciative of (interim) Chancellor (Robert) Dooley and Mark Wharton," Earl added. "Chattanooga has quickly become home. My family loves it here, and the city has truly embraced us in a very special way. "This extension is as much about the players and staff as it is me. From the guys who came with us from VMI to all the additions, be it from high school, junior college or out of the portal, they've embraced our culture, developed as people and players, and gone on to great success here and are prepared for bright futures. 'I am also thankful to have such a good working relationship with Mark (Wharton) and for his friendship. His support and leadership have been instrumental in our program's success, and I deeply value our partnership." At a fluid time in college athletics, Earl and his staff excelled in roster construction. Between returning starters in guards Trey Bonham and Honor Huff to go with reserves and redshirts in Sean Cusano, Noah Melson, Ryan Lopez and Collin Mulholland, the program added 4-year transfers Bash Wieland (Bellarmine), Frank Champion (DII-North Georgia), Jack Kostel (DII-Alabama-Huntsville), Makai Richards (Pacific) and game-winning shot maker Garrison Keeslar (DII-Walsh) along with freshmen Latif Diouf, Parker Robison, Liam Vitters, Houston Holland and Isaiah Otyaluk. That group not only won 29 games, but they did it when it mattered most. Twenty-one of the triumphs came after the calendar flipped to 2025 including a 12-game win streak that fell just two shy of tying another school record. Huff (578), Bonham (554) and Wieland (502) became the first trio in school history to tally 500 points in the same season. Earl's extension is not the only news for the program's staff. Ander Galfsky and Scott Greenman are elevated to associate head coach with Logan Dahms moving from special assistant to assistant coach alongside Ricardo Rush, Jr. Director of basketball operations Alan Treakle is adding assistant coach duties as well. "Ander, Scott, Logan and Alan have been with me from the start," Earl said about his staff. "I am super appreciative of their efforts as well as Ricardo who was a great addition in year two. We don't get a regular season conference championship or win the NIT without their tremendous work as the team behind our team." NOTABLE
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