Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Pat Flannery Awarded Contract Extension
6/27/2002 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 27, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head men's basketball coach Pat Flannery '80, who ranks second on the school and Patriot League all-time wins list, has been awarded a four-year contract extension, director of athletics and recreation John Hardt announced Thursday.
The deal would make Flannery the second-longest tenured coach in the 107-year history of Bison basketball, behind only Bucknell Athletics Hall-of-Famer Charlie Woollum. Flannery's predecessor and his own head coach during his playing days at Bucknell, Woollum served a 19-year tenure in Lewisburg, ranging from 1975-94.
With 121 coaching wins at Bucknell, Flannery ranks second to Woollum (318) on the school's all-time list. He also lists No. 2 behind Navy's Don DeVoe (171) in victories among Patriot League coaches.
While Flannery has helped Bucknell maintain its basketball excellence, he now has the opportunity to usher in a new and exciting era of Bison Basketball. This January, Bucknell will debut in its sparkling new basketball complex and 4,000-seat arena. In another recent development, the Bucknell Board of Trustees authorized the university to proceed with developing a plan for a merit-based aid program, meaning Flannery and his staff may be able to offer merit-based financial aid beginning this winter.
"I am extremely pleased to have Coach Flannery lead our men's basketball program," said Hardt. "His track record speaks for itself. Under his guidance, the Bison have competed at the very top of the Patriot League year in and year out. More importantly, he has helped develop true scholar-athletes who are quality young men off the floor as well."
"With the leadership, excitement and respect that the Patriot League has developed in the eight years since I have been the head coach at Bucknell, I believe this is a wonderful time to be in charge of this program," said Flannery. "I have a deep history and love for Bucknell University, and I feel like that feeling comes through to our student-athletes.
"The support from the university and the administration makes me feel proud of the job we have done here," Flannery added.
Bucknell's entire coaching staff will remain intact in 2002-03, with assistant coaches Don Friday, Bryan Goodman and Sean McAloon returning to the Bison sideline.
Since Flannery took over the coaching reins from Woollum in 1994, the Bison have continued their storied history of success on the hardwood. In his very first season back at his alma mater he led the Orange and Blue to an 11-3 conference record. Two years later the Bison appeared in the Patriot League championship game, falling to Navy by just one point on the Midshipmen's home floor. Bucknell returned to the Patriot League title game in 1999, this time suffering a tough four-point defeat at Lafayette.
All told, Flannery boasts a 121-106 (.533) record at Bucknell and has been named Patriot League Coach of the Year twice. The Bison have posted winning conference records in seven of his eight seasons at Bucknell, and he sports an impressive 65-35 (.650) winning percentage in Patriot League play.
Off the court, Flannery and his student-athletes have been equally notable. The Bison have taken an extremely active role in the local community through the years, volunteering time to Central Pennsylvania youth basketball programs, the Heiter Community Center in Lewisburg, and the Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center. Bucknell has also claimed four of the last six Patriot League Men's Basketball Scholar-Athletes of the Year, including 2002 recipient Dan Blankenship.
The only player ever to lead the Bison in assists four straight years, Flannery enjoyed an excellent career as a player at Bucknell. He captained the 1979-80 team that finished 20-7 and finished with 505 career assists, which was a school record at the time and still ranks third. He also registered 779 career points and was a 78.7 percent free-throw shooter. The Bison were 38-16 in his final two seasons, and he captained both of those squads.
Flannery, 44, led Lebanon Valley to the Division III national title in 1994 before returning to his alma mater. Flannery owns a 216-149 (.592) lifetime record as a head coach, including a 95-43 (.688) mark in five seasons at Lebanon Valley.
Bucknell opens its 2002-03 slate at Notre Dame on Nov. 22, with the home opener booked for Dec. 3 against Canisius.
