UT rewards women’s basketball head coach Karen Aston with three-year extension
By Steve Lansdale
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas women’s basketball head coach Karen Aston has been so successful in her first four seasons in the position that the UT board of regents voted Friday to give her a three-year contract extension that will keep her in on the sidelines for the Longhorns at least through the 2019-20 season.
The new contract, which goes into effect immediately, gives Aston a guaranteed salary of $770,000 and additional performance-based incentives that could add up to $220,000 in additional compensation. The bump in salary represents an increase of $158,187 over what she made last season.
“First of all, I would like to thank the University of Texas administration for their faith in the direction of our program,” Aston said. “Secondly, I want to recognize the extraordinary work our staff and players have done to bring Texas back into the national spotlight. I'm very excited to have the opportunity to extend my time here on the Forty Acres. I am humbled by the honor of this great job, one that I love, at the greatest university in the country. I look forward to continuing our journey to light the tower.”
Aston has a record of 89-46 in her first four seasons at UT, and has guided the Longhorns to three consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament, including two Sweet 16 appearances and one in the Elite Eight in 2015-16.
In 2015-16, the Longhorns went 31-5, marking the most victories by a Texas team since 1987-88, and their 15 victories over Big 12 opponents tied the school record for the most in a season.
“We are so excited to have Karen Aston leading our women’s basketball program,” women’s athletic director Chris Plonsky said. “She has made a strong, immediate impact with regard to recruiting the type of high-character young women who succeed at Texas both athletically and academically. Our success has been a direct result of Karen’s leadership and the character of the players in this program. Karen and her coaching and support staff have made incredible and steady progress over the past four years to guide our program back among the nation’s elite, but what excites me the most is the direction and future of Texas women’s basketball under Karen’s leadership.”
