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Women's Basketball Coach Sue Semrau Signs Extension Through 2020

Florida State Head Women's Basketball Coach Sue Semrau - Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State women's basketball coach Sue Semrau has signed a contract extension with FSU that will ensure that she remains the head coach through the 2020 season. FSU Athletics Director Stan Wilcox announced the extension today.

"It is an honor to continue as the head women's basketball coach at Florida State University for the foreseeable future," Semrau said. "FSU has a culture of excellence, both academically and athletically, that I am proud to be a part of. Thank you to President Thrasher and our Director of Athletics Stan Wilcox for having faith in me and allowing my time at this great university to continue into the next decade."

Semrau has had plenty of accomplishments since arriving in Tallahassee from the University of Wisconsin in 1997. She is the winningest head coach in program history having recorded 348 victories that include two NCAA Elite Eight appearances (2010, 2015), three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances (2007, 2010, 2015) and 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Semrau last year proved that she still has her fastball as she directed Florida State to perhaps the best season in program history winning a record 32 games (14 ACC) and reaching the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. However, contract extensions are like presidential elections. They should be about the future not the past. This one is no different.

FSU's breakout season last year could really set the program up for sustained success but in order for that to happen the Noles need to capitalize on the recruiting trail. FSU has already started in this effort by securing commitments from 5* guard A'Tyanna Gaulden (#36 overall) and 4* guard Nausia Woolfolk (#60 overall) for the 2016 class. The Noles need to continue to attract talent to keep up on the recruiting trail with their peers in the ACC (Notre Dame already has 2 commitments in the top 10 for 2016). This extension will help them accomplish their recruiting goals.

The vast majority of players in women's college basketball stay for four years. Now that Semrau has signed this extension, the players in the 2016 recruiting class will arrive on campus in the fall of 2016 assured that their coach will be there for their entire tenure at Florida State. This alleviates uncertainty for recruits. As I discussed in my Guide to Recruiting a few weeks ago, having a comfort level with the coach and the system she runs is very important to most recruits. FSU has now alleviated this concern by locking up Semrau for five more years.

Signing Semrau to this extension is not only a deserved reward for her fine performance (especially lately), it is also a smart move to help secure future success for the Seminoles. The challenge for Semrau and her coaching staff is to now parlay this vote of confidence into more success on the court and the recruiting trail.

(Some information for this article was provided by the Florida State University Sports Information Department)


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