George Nessman has a hand up on taking the Spartans forward. (Photo by Terrell Lloyd)
Following San Jose State University’s first men’s basketball post-season appearance in 15 years, head coach George Nessman agreed to a new three-year contract through the 2013-14 season. Athletics director Tom Bowen made the announcement.
Nessman directed the Spartans to the 2011 College Basketball Insiders (CBI) 16-team tournament and a first-round game against Creighton. To reach post-season play in 2011, San Jose State achieved a number of meaningful firsts:
- A 17-win season for the first time since 1981,
- A winning record for the first time since 1994,
- Reaching the semifinal round of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament for the first time since joining the conference in 1996.
BOWEN & NESSMAN TALK SAN JOSE STATE HOOPS
“George Nessman took over our men’s basketball program six years ago when it needed more than a cosmetic make-over. Systematically and methodically, he has put San Jose State on a sound footing that is realizing progress and success on and off the court,” says Bowen, who cites the program’s eight Academic All-WAC honors since 2006 compared to five in the University’s first 10 years of conference membership as one measure of academic achievement. “We are looking forward to our continued growth in men’s basketball with George in charge.”
“San Jose State is a great university. I am honored to continue serving as its head basketball coach. I am especially thankful to our student-athletes and basketball staff for putting their all into the program,” says Nessman. “It is important to note my deep appreciation as well for the support of (past) Presidents Kassing and Whitmore and Athletics Director Tom Bowen.”
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