TOWSON, Md. – Joe Mathews, the long-time head women’s basketball coach at Towson University, has signed a three-year contract extension that will take him through the 2014-15 season with the Tigers, it has been announced by Director of Athletics Mike Waddell.

"I’m pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement to extend Joe Mathews' tenure at Towson," said Waddell. "Joe is well liked and respected in the women’s basketball coaching community. The program has improved during his time as head coach.

Even more important is that Joe is a great person, added Waddell. He is viewed as a bit of a father figure by the team members. His interest lies in the student-athletes and their personal development both as students as well as athletes."

"I am sure that with Joe continuing at the helm combined with additional program support that we will see additional improvement over the next three years," said Wadell.

In 2011-12, Mathews completed his 11th season on the Tiger bench. He led the 2011-12 Tigers to a 16-14 record, the team’s fifth season with at least 15 wins in the last six years.

“I am very excited to be part of the Towson family,” said Mathews.  “There has been so much growth here during my eleven years, but none like we are experiencing right now. We used to say the future is bright for this program now we say the future is here.  I look forward to leading this program into the new era of Towson University Athletics.”

When Mathews became the Tigers’ head coach in 2001-02, Towson had five losing seasons in the six previous years. In his last six seasons, the Tigers have posted four winning records.

Mathews has posted 135 wins during his tenure at Towson, the second highest total in program history. His 100th career win was a thrilling upset of No. 25 Maryland in the Towson Center in December 2009.

He has coached nine players who have earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors, including the program’s career leading scorer Shanae Baker-Brice. Mathews led the Tigers to a program record 22 victories in 2007-08 and an appearance in the Women’s Basketball Invitational in 2009-10. The WBI game marked the first postseason appearance for the Tigers since 1969.