South Alabama Men's Basketball Coach Extends Contract

Richie Riley to remain as head coach for four more years.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:43pm

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A cubist, geometric painting in navy blue and red, breaking down a college basketball game into sharp, overlapping planes and shapes, conceptually representing the stability and continuity of the University of South Alabama's men's basketball program under Coach Richie Riley.The University of South Alabama's commitment to its men's basketball program is reflected in the contract extension for head coach Richie Riley.Mobile Today

The University of South Alabama has announced that men's basketball head coach Richie Riley has agreed to a contract extension, keeping him with the program for an additional four years.

Why it matters

Retaining a successful head coach is crucial for maintaining program stability and continuity, especially in a mid-major conference like the Sun Belt where coaching turnover can be high. Riley has led the Jaguars to steady improvement since taking over the program in 2021.

The details

According to the university's announcement, Riley's new contract will keep him as the Jaguars' head coach through the 2030 season. In his five seasons so far, Riley has guided the team to a 75-65 overall record and two postseason appearances, including the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2024.

  • Riley was hired as the University of South Alabama's head coach in 2021.
  • In the 2023-24 season, the Jaguars made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance under Riley's leadership.

The players

Richie Riley

The head coach of the University of South Alabama men's basketball team, who has agreed to a four-year contract extension to remain with the program.

University of South Alabama

The public research university located in Mobile, Alabama, which fields the Jaguars men's basketball team in the Sun Belt Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Richie Riley has done an outstanding job building our men's basketball program into a consistent winner, and we are thrilled that he will continue to lead our team for years to come.”

— Joel Erdmann, Director of Athletics, University of South Alabama

What’s next

The Jaguars will look to build on their recent success and make another postseason appearance in the 2026-27 season under Riley's continued leadership.

The takeaway

The contract extension for Coach Richie Riley demonstrates the University of South Alabama's commitment to maintaining stability and continuity within its men's basketball program, which has seen marked improvement during his tenure.