Manhattan Extends Steve Masiello's Contract Through 2019-20 Season

The Steve Masiello era at Manhattan College will continue. The head coach of the Manhattan Jaspers has lead his squad to three consecutive MAAC Championship games including back to back championships (and associated automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament). Despite all his success, Masiello, whose  contract is due to expire this spring, had not heard one word from the College regarding his contract since before the season began.

It was only two years ago that Masiello had opted to move on from the Jaspers when he accepted a five year deal worth over $1 million per year at The University of South Florida. After agreeing to terms the offer was revoked when South Florida learned of a discrepancy on Masiello's resume. It turns out that while his resume indicated that he was a graduate of The University of Kentucky, he was actually a few credits shy and never received official graduation status.

Manhattan College agreed to take their beloved head coach back under the stipulation that he finish his coursework and receive his diploma before continuing with any basketball activities. After a brief leave of absence Masiello's contract was restructured and secured him as head coach through the end of this season.

According to the NY Post, Masiello received the extension offer on Tuesday evening and the news of his acceptance spread over social media Thursday afternoon just hours before his squad is scheduled to defend their back to back MAAC Championships. The 6-seed Jaspers take on the 11-seed Marist Red Foxes this evening in an opening round matchup of the MAAC Tournament at 9:00pm at the Times Union Center in Albany.

Masiello, who told the NY Post that he's "ecstatic about continuing the brand that we've built for many years and leading one of the premier mid-major programs in the country" has his work cut out for him in this year's MAAC Tournament.

Should the Jaspers defeat Marist tonight they will have to face a well rested Siena Saints team on Saturday in which is essential a home game for the  Saints. A win against the Saints will likely result in a semi final matchup with archival Iona Gaels (who they have faced in the last three MAAC Finals). With the #1 seeded Monmouth Hawks looming on the other side of the bracket for a potential finals match-up the Jaspers road is a tough one.

If there is one thing Steve Masiello has done in his short tenure at Manhattan College, it is overcome the odds time and time again. Now with the contract situation off of his mind he can do what he does best - lead his Jaspers to battle in the MAAC Tournament.