Rhode Island extends basketball coach Jim Baron’s contract 1 year after trip to NIT semis

Rhode Island extends Baron’s contract by 1 year

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Rhode Island and coach Jim Baron have agreed in principle to a one-year contract extension just weeks after he led the team to the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament.

The extension announced Wednesday will keep Baron with the Rams through the 2013-14 season.

Athletic director Thorr Bjorn says the extension comes on the heels of the best four-year period in program history, in which the team has put together three consecutive 20-win seasons and reached the NIT three straight years. Bjorn says the next step is taking the program to the NCAA tournament.

Baron is 157-128 overall at Rhode Island since 2001, including 26-10 this past season, but the team has yet to reach the NCAAs during his tenure.

Baron says he is “appreciative and thankful.”