University of Tennessee Athletics
Peterson Signs Two-Year Contract Extension
October 01, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 1, 2002
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Athletics Director Doug Dickey announced today that head basketball coach Buzz Peterson has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the University of Tennessee through the 2007-08 season.
The contract has a base salary of $200,000 and a total package, which includes radio, television and endorsements, worth approximately $785,000 annually plus camps. Peterson initially signed a five-year deal with the University when he was hired in April 2001.
"Buzz has done a great job of managing our program and connecting with Tennessee fans," Dickey said. "He has recruited an outstanding class that is currently on campus and I hope with our returning players this will be an outstanding season for Tennessee Basketball."
Peterson owns a 120-66 record in six seasons as a head coach. His first season at Tennessee was met with more than its share of adversity as the Vols had a full complement of players for just 10 of the team's 31 games. The difference between being 15-16 on the season and 22-9 was a matter of just 16 points and less than 10 seconds for Peterson's Vols as four times a Tennessee opponent hit a three-pointer at the end of regulation that helped decide the game. Eight of UT's 16 losses on the year were decided by a combined total of 19 points.
Along the way Peterson earned a reputation for developing players. Marcus Haislip went from averaging less than six points per game as a sophomore to earning second team All-SEC honors and averaging 16.7 points per game as a junior.
Peterson has also made a name for himself in recruiting. In less than six months on the job he signed a recruiting class that ranked among the top 10 classes in the nation according to the Bob Gibbons All-Star Report. Included in that class are two Parade All-Americas, guards C.J. Watson and John Winchester.
Peterson will begin his second season at Tennessee when practice gets underway Oct. 12.
