UNCW Head Coach Takayo Siddle Signs New 5-Year Contract

Siddle led the Seahawks to the NCAA Tournament last year, their first appearance in eight seasons.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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UNC Wilmington men's basketball head coach Takayo Siddle has agreed to a new five-year contract with the university. Siddle has led the Seahawks since 2020 and took the team to the NCAA Tournament last year, their first appearance in eight seasons. The Seahawks were the top seed in this year's Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament but were upset in the quarterfinals.

Why it matters

Siddle's contract extension demonstrates UNCW's commitment to maintaining the program's recent success and continuing to build on their NCAA Tournament appearance. Retaining a successful head coach is crucial for a mid-major program like UNCW to remain competitive in their conference and have a chance at earning an NCAA Tournament bid.

The details

Siddle's new five-year contract will keep him in Wilmington through 2030. Details about his new salary and buyout are still unknown, as the university's board of trustees must officially approve the deal. Siddle previously agreed to a five-year extension in 2025 that put his base salary at $300,000 per year with $550,000 in supplemental compensation and various other incentives.

  • Siddle confirmed the new contract after UNCW's loss in the CAA Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • Siddle led UNCW to the NCAA Tournament in 2025, their first appearance in eight years.

The players

Takayo Siddle

The head coach of the UNC Wilmington men's basketball team since 2020, who has led the Seahawks to the NCAA Tournament and now has a new five-year contract extension.

UNC Wilmington

A public university located in Wilmington, North Carolina that fields the Seahawks men's basketball team in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) conference.

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What they’re saying

“This program's meant everything to me. When you've had opportunities to look at other situations and you don't even entertain them, you know you want to be here. This is a place I consider home and a place where I hope to be for a long time.”

— Takayo Siddle, Head Coach, UNC Wilmington Men's Basketball (WECT)

What’s next

The UNCW Board of Trustees must officially approve Siddle's new five-year contract extension.

The takeaway

Retaining successful head coaches is crucial for mid-major basketball programs like UNCW to maintain their competitiveness and continue building towards NCAA Tournament appearances. Siddle's contract extension demonstrates the university's commitment to the program's recent progress under his leadership.