Brennan AngelOne of the first questions a high school athlete asks a college coach looking to recruit is whether that coach will be there for the duration of the athlete’s college career.
When Cal Poly volleyball head coach Jon Stevenson and men’s basketball head coach Kevin Bromley head out on recruiting trips later in the year, they will be able to answer the potential recruits’ question with a simple ‘yes.’
Cal Poly Director of Athletics Alison Cone met with Bromley on June 21 and agreed to a contract that would extend through the 2010 season.
Then, on Tuesday, Cone announced that Stevenson had extended his contract through the 2011 season.
“I think, No. 1, it shows stability,” Cone said of the Cal Poly athletic program.
Bromley, who had one year left on his contract before the extension, coached the Mustangs to a 19-10 record during the 2006-07 season. The team came within one game of the NCAA Tournament but lost to Long Beach State in the Big West Conference Championship.
Stevenson, on the other hand, coached the 2006 women’s volleyball team to its first Big West Conference Championship – the first conference championship for volleyball since 1984 when Cal Poly was a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association. In addition to the conference championships, the Mustangs reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m excited and pleased about it,” Stevenson said. “It’s a nice show of support for the program.”
Stevenson’s two-year stint as head coach of the women’s volleyball program has resulted in a 42-12 record, which includes a 23-5 record against Big West opponents.
“My goal is to win a national championship,” Stevenson said.
Both Cone and Stevenson said that it is important for coaches to be on staff long-term for recruiting purposes.
“It helps with recruits because recruits are looking for a coach who is going to be there,” Cone said.
She also said that when a coach is on a short-term contract it limits the coaches as well as the program’s ability to recruit athletes.
“I think next year could be very exciting for Mustang athletics,” Cone said.