Florida Gulf Coast University is a small school that is having the type of season that typically earns a head coach a job at a bigger program. The Eagles are the first 15th-seeded team to ever advance to the Sweet 16. They shocked the world by kicking off the tournament with a win over Georgetown and were impressive yet again in a victory against San Diego State on Sunday. Now, the school is reportedly scrambling to keep head coach Andy Enfield.
According to NBC 2, FGCU is looking to restructure Enfield’s current five-year deal in order to make him the highest paid coach in the Atlantic Sun Conference. To do that, the school would need to nearly double his current $300,000 per year salary. NBC 2 Sports Director Brian Colleran says the university does not currently have the funds to do that, but officials are hoping to receive donations that will make it possible.
Enfield was hired at FGCU in 2011 and has posted a 40-27 record in nearly two seasons. The team had gone 18-41 in the two seasons before he took over. Enfield was an assistant coach in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics from 1994-2000 before taking an assistant coaching position at Florida State. No one expected him to put FGCU on the map this quickly.
Just as impressive as his coaching resume is Enfield’s wife, who is a former super model and has been receiving as much attention as her husband (which she said has been strange) during the team’s improbable run. FGCU would hate to lose the power couple. Let’s see those donations, Eagles fans and alumni.
Photo credit: Facebook/Amanda Marcum Enfield
