Duquesne rewards Burt with 8-year contract after landmark season
PITTSBURGH – Dan Burt, a Washington native who coached the Duquesne University women’s basketball team to an NCAA tournament victory and a school-record 28 victories, has been rewarded for the Dukes’ landmark season.
Duquesne athletic director Dave Harper announced Tuesday morning Burt agreed to an eight-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season.
Burt led the Dukes to unprecedented heights in 2015-16, a season that included both the first NCAA tournament appearance in school history. Duquesne, an at-large selection, became the first team in four years to win its NCAA tournament debut when it defeated Seton Hall, 97-76, in Storrs, Conn.
Burt, who is 71-30 in his three seasons at Duquesne, guided the Dukes to back-to-back Women’s NIT appearances in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
“We all saw the positive impact the women’s basketball program had on not only the Duquesne community but on a national stage this past season,” Duquesne President Ken Gormley said. “Dan’s team clearly elevated the image of Duquesne University and it is important that we recognize and reward that outstanding accomplishment. I am excited about the future of our women’s basketball program and look forward to Dan building on the solid foundation that is in place.”
“The future of the Duquesne women’s basketball program is in very capable hands under the leadership of Dan Burt,” said outgoing Duquesne President Dr. Charles Dougherty.
“Dan fully understands and embraces the mission of our University and his teams have reflected that. I look forward to watching his teams enjoy continued success both on and off the playing floor.”
Burt is the first coach to receive a contract extension under Harper, who is in his first year as Duquesne’s AD.
“Duquesne athletics must attract, develop and retain quality coaches to compete successfully,” Harper said. “It was very important for the university to signal a strong commitment to Dan and this agreement is a key part of that. Dan continues to drive the women’s program toward greater national prominence and he is doing it with extremely focused and competitive student-athletes who are also committed to the academic mission of our institution.”
Burt said a statement that he wants Duqueusne to be his final coaching job.
“I would like to thank Presidents Dougherty and Gormley, the Board of Trustees and our athletic director, Dave Harper for their support, vision and being so proactive throughout this process,” Burt said. “When I accepted the head coaching position three years ago, I stated that Duquesne would be my last coaching job. Today, this commitment from the university ensures my long term future at Duquesne University.”
He also credited his assistant coaches, who helped the Dukes to a 28-6 season that included a 13-3 record in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
“This extension is largely based on the talent and commitment of our assistant coaches. Eddie Benton, Matt Schmidt, and Rachel Wojdowski are vital and significant pillars of our basketball program. We would not be a national level basketball program without their strong contributions. Most importantly, the outstanding young women currently in our program and the alumni who established the foundation for our success are the biggest contributors to this incredible commitment. With a committed university behind us, Duquesne women’s basketball is poised for continued success on the court and in the classroom.”
The 2015-16 season was one of firsts for Duquesne as the won a share of the A-10 regular season title, advanced to the conference tournament final appeared in the USA Today Coaches Poll for the first time Jan. 12.
“Our job is to facilitate success for Dan and his program in the years ahead,” Harper said. “We need a strategic focus and detailed competitive and academic plans to do so. This has been the focus of our team after conducting an assessment of the department and will continue to be each day. We are all here to win. Having a great leader like Dan will certainly make that possible.”
Burt is a graduate of Trinity High School and West Liberty University. He was a college basketball official and a men’s basketball coach until coaching women’s basketball. He was an assistant at West Virginia (1998-2001), North Carolina-Wilmington (2001-04) and Bucknell (2004-07) before joining the staff at Duquesne as an assistant. He was named the Dukes’ head coach in April, 2013.