Stevens Returns

Note: I know I had promised an NCAA Tournament wrap-up post, but I don't feel like I can add anything to what's already been said. It was a terrific run for Butler, and overall was probably the most entertaining Tournament since the field expanded in 1985.

Brad Stevens will be back, at least for next year.

Stevens and Butler agreed to a 12-year contract extension, which was announced late this afternoon. The extension means that for this summer the overtures from BCS teams will be ignored. However, the rumors about Stevens' future will never fully go away, regardless of whatever contract he signs or what is said publicly.

Much like Mark Few at Gonzaga, as long as Stevens keeps winning, his name will come up in the conversation of every big school coaching vacancy.

On the bright side, Brad Stevens will definitely be back at Butler next season. That in itself is crucial because the program needs Stevens there to carry the momentum from an improbable run to the National Championship game, and take advantage on the recruiting trail. However, what he does after next season is anybody's guess.

In the college coaching ranks today, contracts aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Extensions don't signify that any coach will stay - their only purpose is to boost the monetary amount of the buyout that a BCS-level team will have to pay.

Such is life for mid-major programs, but we're happy Brad Stevens didn't jump at the first opportunity.