Liberty's McKay Agrees to Contract Extension

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Liberty University and men's basketball coach Ritchie McKay have agreed to a contract extension that runs through the 2031-32 season. McKay is the winningest coach in Liberty program history, compiling 298 victories over 13 seasons in Lynchburg. The Flames have recorded nine 20-win seasons in the past 10 years, including five seasons with at least 25 wins and a program-record 30 victories in 2019-20.

Why it matters

McKay's contract extension solidifies the long-term future of Liberty's successful men's basketball program, which has won four conference tournament titles and seven regular-season or division championships over the past eight seasons. The Flames have also posted 203 victories over that stretch, tied for the sixth most in the country, and a .755 winning percentage, which ranks fourth among Division I teams.

The details

The extension follows a strong 2025-26 campaign for the Flames, who finished 26-8 overall and 17-3 in Conference USA play, capturing their second consecutive regular-season title. The team also set a program record with 17 straight wins from Dec. 16 through Feb. 19. McKay was named the 2025-26 Conference USA Gene Bartow Co-Coach of the Year, and was a finalist for the 2025-26 Jim Phelan Award, the 2025-26 Hugh Durham Award, and the 2025-26 Ben Jobe Award.

• The contract extension runs through the 2031-32 season.
• In the 2025-26 season, Liberty finished 26-8 overall and 17-3 in Conference USA play, capturing its second consecutive regular-season title.
• The Flames set a program record with 17 straight wins from Dec. 16 through Feb. 19 in the 2025-26 season.