MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama Director of Athletics Joe Gottfried announced Wednesday that women's basketball head coach Rick Pietri has received a four-year contract extension through the 2010 season.

"We are pleased with the direction of the women's basketball program under Coach Pietri and look forward to its continued success," said Gottfried.

In his six seasons at the helm of the Lady Jags, Pietri has turned a once struggling program into a Sun Belt contender. Entering this upcoming season, the New Orleans native sits just one win shy of the 100 career mark with an overall record of 99-74 (.572). In that category, he currently ranks second on USA's all-time chart and tops the school in Sun Belt Conference victories with 48. He came to South Alabama after a very successful six-year coaching career at the high school level and earned his first collegiate victory over Jacksonville State, 79-48 on Nov. 17, 2000 at the Mitchell Center.

"I'm really pleased that President Moulton, Joe Gottfried, Pam Young and Hal Williams have all supported me in my six years and that they continue to support me by giving me four more years here at South Alabama," said Pietri. "I look forward to continuing to put forth a quality program that competes for championships."

In just his third season at South Alabama (2002-03), Pietri led the Jags to their first-ever regular season conference title, tying with New Mexico State for the SBC West Division crown. The following season, the USA alum led his alma mater to the outright division title, finishing with a 22-7 mark, including a school record 11 conference victories. Pietri also led the Jags to back-to-back WNIT appearances each of those two seasons.

During his tenure at USA, Pietri has had five players receive all-conference honors, including the 2004 Freshman of the Year Whitney Woodard and the 2005 Newcomer of the Year JoAnna Williams.