Football coach's deal now runs through 2012

DOVER -- Al Lavan took the Delaware State football team to its first NCAA Division I-AA playoff game last fall.


On Thursday, he was rewarded with a one-year contract extension through the 2012 season.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Lavan had been earning $200,000 annually after signing a one-year extension last spring. DSU athletic director Rick Costello said Hornets coaches typically receive a 5 percent annual raise.

Costello would not say if Lavan's assistant coaches also would get a raise.

"It's well-deserved and he's done a super job as coach, and the faculty and administration is certainly happy to have him as our football coach," Costello said of the new deal.

Since his arrival in 2004 from Eastern Michigan University, Lavan has compiled a 29-16 record. Last year's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship was the school's first since 1991.

"At this point in my career, the amount of years don't really matter to me, but I'm happy with it," Lavan said.

The two sides began discussions after the team's 10-2 finish last season. Lavan said he only recently signed the contract.

"It's been in my briefcase for a while," Lavan said. "I wanted to make sure all the T's were crossed and I's dotted."

Costello wouldn't say which side initiated the discussions, but Lavan said the extension was a "mutual thing."

"We sat down and worked on this since the end of the season," Costello said. "We sat down and got it done."

Well deserved...he's taking the program to new hieghts...

New Heights to some, not us old heads familiar with the MEAC. DSU has been here before. They are doing a great job of supporting coach Lavan. Props!!! Well deserve.

I wish they were an attractive opponent. I would love to play them if they were.

quote:

Originally posted by Tigerpride:
I wish they were an attractive opponent. I would love to play them if they were.

We have played before and it was great. I am sure if we played the game in Philly again we could get the numbers that you want.

Where is DSU getting this money from?
Did someone rob a casino?

Well deserved especially after the program hit a all time low with a winless season and the constant changing of coaches leading up to Lavan. He has improved our record and our program every year he has coached here.