Anderson Receives Contract Extension Through 2008

Lincoln -- Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson announced Friday that Nebraska Baseball Coach Mike Anderson has received a contract extension. Anderson’s contract now extends four years, through the 2008 season.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve this University and help develop successful student-athletes," Anderson said. "Our entire staff feels great about Steve Pederson's leadership and the positive support that we receive from the administration. This commitment to our program allows us to continue our efforts to make this University and baseball program a great place for student-athletes to come to and move forward toward their goals of success on the diamond and in the classroom.

The extension comes after Anderson has guided the program to 83 wins over the last two seasons, including the school’s second Big 12 title in 2003. Anderson, who is 83-41 (.669 winning percentage) in two years as head coach of the Husker program, was an assistant at Nebraska for eight years before he was named head coach in June of 2002. Anderson has been associated with five of NU’s eight NCAA Regional qualifiers in school history, including back-to-back College World Series appearances in 2001 and 2002.

The Huskers went 36-23 in 2004 and were ranked in the national polls for much of the season. This season, Nebraska ranked seventh nationally in fielding percentage, leading the Big 12 and setting a school record with a .975 fielding percentage. Husker pitchers also ranked third in the Big 12 and 25th nationally with a 3.76 earned-run average.

Under Anderson, the Huskers have five first-team All-Big 12 selections over the past two years, including back-to-back Big 12 Players of the Year in Matt Hopper (2003) and Alex Gordon (2004), who also became the first unanimous first-team All-American since 1999 and is currently playing for Team USA. In addition, six players were selected in the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft, equaling the highest total since the 2001 CWS squad had eight players drafted.

The Huskers have also excelled in the classroom under Anderson, placing 17 members on the academic All-Big 12 team over the past two years, including a school-record nine selections in 2004. Two players have earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors, including Jeff Leise, who was a two-time Academic All-American of the Year (2002-03)