Through three years as Duquesne women’s basketball coach, Dan Burt has consistently improved the program to the point of the team’s first ever NCAA Tournament berth last season.
Duquesne has rewarded his commitment and improvement with an extension through the 2023-24 season.
Burt is 71-30 overall with a 35-10 Atlantic 10 record in three seasons.
“I would like to thank President Dougherty, incoming President Ken Gormley, the Board of Trustees and our Athletic Director, Dave Harper for their support, vision and being so proactive throughout this process,” Burt said in a statement. “Three years ago at the press conference to introduce myself as head coach, I stated that Duquesne would be my last coaching job. Today, this commitment from the university ensures my long-term future at Duquesne University.”
Burt had previously received an extension in July, but those terms were not disclosed.
Under Burt, the Dukes have gone from a 20-13 WNIT 2013-14 campaign to a 28-6 mark and an NCAA Tournament second round berth.
Last season, Duquesne had a 15-game winning streak and earned its first ever national ranking. It tied for the Atlantic 10 regular season title and lost to George Washington in the A-10 Championship Final.
It was selected as a nine seed in the NCAA Tournament and defeated Seton Hall 97-76 for the first ever win in program history at the tournament.
“We all saw the positive impact the women’s basketball program had on not only the Duquesne community, but on a national stage this past season,” said Duquesne President Ken Gormley in a university release. “Dan’s team clearly elevated the image of Duquesne University and it is important that we recognize and reward that outstanding accomplishment. I am excited about the future of our women’s basketball program and look forward to Dan building on the solid foundation that is in place.”
Duquesne has been a model of consistency with eight consecutive 20-win seasons while also earning eight A-10 postseason honors last season.
“Duquesne Athletics must attract, develop and retain quality coaches to compete successfully,” said Duquesne Director of Athletics Dave Harper in the same release. “It was very important for the University to signal a strong commitment to Dan and this agreement is a key part of that. Dan continues to drive the women’s program toward greater national prominence and he is doing it with extremely focused and competitive student-athletes who are also committed to the academic mission of our institution. It was an honor to work with the Duquesne administration, President Dougherty and President Gormley, and Dan to complete this agreement.”
Burt has been familiar with Duquesne as he was the top assistant coach for six years before accepting the head coaching job.
He is known as a good recruiter and also a coach that allows his assistants to excel. Each of his assistants, Eddie Benton, Matt Schmidt and Rachel Wojdowski is in charge of a specific part of the team’s game plan as Burt allows each to play to their strengths.
“This extension is largely based on the talent and commitment of our assistant coaches. Eddie Benton, Matt Schmidt, and Rachel Wojdowski are vital and significant pillars of our basketball program,” said Burt. “We would not be a national level basketball program without their strong contributions to Duquesne Women’s Basketball. Most importantly, the outstanding young women currently in our program and the alumni who established the foundation for our success are the biggest contributors to this incredible commitment. With the longest head coaching contract in women’s basketball and a committed university behind us, Duquesne Women’s Basketball is poised for continued success on the court and in the classroom.”
Perhaps Harper summed it best when discussing the move. He minced no words.
“We are all here to win,” he said.
