ATHENS — University of Georgia men’s basketball coach Mark Fox will receive a two-year extension to his existing contract, according to an announcement Wednesday by UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity.  Fox has two years left on his current agreement, and the two-year extension will extend through the 2017-18 season.

 “The improvement our team made throughout the 2013-14 season was very encouraging, and with the loss of only one starter, the expectations for the coming season will be very high,” McGarity said.  “Mark and I discussed not only this past season, but spent the majority of our time focused on the next four-year period.  We discussed our recruiting plans, scheduling, academic progress and continued development of our program moving forward, and Mark fully recognizes the expectations in these key areas.”

 In 2014 Georgia finished with a 20-14 overall record, 12-6 in the SEC.  The Bulldogs tied for second place in the final SEC standings, just the fourth time in 82 years of SEC basketball a UGA team has finished that high.  Georgia earned a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), where it advanced to the second round of competition.

 "From Day One, we have worked to establish basketball success within the SEC, academic success in the graduation of our players and developing a culture where we remain consistently successful,” Fox said.  “As we move forward and continue to recruit and develop young men who can compete for championships, this is a great step to aid in the process.

"The next goal is to remain successful and to move that success to another level through scheduling, recruiting, the commitment of our young people and the help of our administration."