WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNC Wilmington men’s basketball coach Benny Moss, who orchestrated one of the nation’s best turnarounds in the NCAA Division I ranks this past season, has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension, Seahawk athletic director Kelly Mehrtens announced Friday.

            The addendum to his contract was approved by the UNCW Board of Trustees during Friday’s regularly scheduled meeting on campus. The two years, added to the three remaining on his initial pact, will keep Moss with the Seahawks through the 2012-13 season.

            “Benny and his staff did a phenomenal job this season and we’re very happy he’s going to be with the Seahawks for many years,” said Mehrtens. “His players are performing well on and off the court and keeping UNCW’s successful basketball tradition intact. We’re looking forward to next season and beyond.”

            Moss, 38, took over the helm of the program in 2006-07 and the Seahawks battled an assortment of issues en route to a 7-22 campaign. Last year, however, Moss steered the ship to smoother waters, taking UNCW to a 20-13 record and second-place tie in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Seahawks set seven team records and Moss was runner-up in voting for CAA Coach-of-the-Year.

            “I’d like to thank Kelly, Chancellor (Rosemary) DePaolo and the Board of Trustees for this extension,” said Moss. “It’s an exciting time for everyone because of the direction of not only the basketball program, but the entire athletic department.

            “Kelly and I have a great relationship. She has a vision for our program and we have worked well together since she came on board last fall. Now we need to move forward as a staff to continue what we have been building for the last two years and maintaining our athletic and academic success.”

            Moss was named the seventh head coach in UNCW history on April 20, 2006, after serving as an assistant coach at four different institutions, including six years at UNC Charlotte.