Speedy Claxton signs multi-year extension

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By Andrew Fantucchio SPORTS EDITOR

“I think we’re always going to expect there to be interest in Speedy Claxton,” said Hofstra vice president and director of athletics Rick Cole Jr. “That’s going to remain as long as he’s in the coaching profession. He’s our coach, and we knew that we wanted that to be the case for years to come.”

Regardless of the presence of any outside pressure, the timing of Claxton’s extension is important nonetheless. Not many coaches can boast the same resume as Claxton in their sophomore season, never mind in their careers, which is something that he is keenly aware of.

“I’m not like other coaches,” Claxton said. “I really just won a regular season conference title in just my second year. That’s just what I do. I’m a winner. Wherever I go, I win. But then, when I stepped back, I was like, ‘Wow, this is actually kind of crazy what I just did.’”

As crazy as the extension may feel for Claxton, he doesn’t sense any added expectations to deliver a conference championship to Hofstra this week and send the school to its first NCAA national tournament appearance since 2001. Like they always are, Claxton and the Pride are sure of themselves and view their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., as business as usual.

“I don’t put any pressure on myself,” Claxton said. “My guys are ready, and I’m ready. We’re going to go out there confident but not too overconfident. We know we can get the job done.”

Whether or not he can get the job done this year remains to be seen. Either way, Claxton is eager for the chance to continue to build upon his achievements heading into the future. Especially due to Poser’s commitment to investing in the school’s athletics programs, something he views as a rarity among other university presidents.

“She’s visible,” Claxton said.

“She’s at the games, she’s in the suite and she’s on the sidelines.

I think that’s the best thing that she’s doing by far. That goes goes a long way. She sees the vision, and she knows that it can help elevate the university.”

When Claxton was hired as Hofstra’s head coach prior to last season, he took the job with the intention of bringing the program to prominence and with the hope of reaching new heights. Now, with more time to work with and more resources at his disposal, Claxton has greater ambitions that go beyond win- ning a conference championship next week – not only for Hofstra but for himself as well.

“This is more than a job,” Claxton said. “This is my legacy.”