Tommy Lloyd agrees to new 5-year deal with Arizona

INDIANAPOLIS — Coach Tommy Lloyd has agreed to a new deal. ArizonaHe announced on Friday.

“I’m living in Arizona,” he said at Friday’s news conference.

After days of vague statements about his future when asked North Carolina At the time of the job opening, Lloyd agreed to a new five-year deal with the school.

“Arizona basketball, you guys know what it means to me, and when I say it’s a special place, it always comes from the bottom of my heart,” Lloyd said.

In reference to the alleged phone call from Michael Jordan to Lloyd about the Carolina job – which Lloyd said never happened – the 51-year-old expressed pride in living in Tucson.

He said, “I’ve decided that my Michael Jordan is Steve Kerr and I’m proud to be an Arizona Wildcat.”

According to ESPN sources, Arizona’s new deal with Lloyd will make him one of the five highest-paid coaches in college basketball, as he will start at approximately $7.2 million in 2026-27 and average $7.5 million over the life of the deal.

The deal also includes significant bonuses and an additional commitment to the staff salary pool. This buyout is expected to be significant both ways, as the deal is fully guaranteed, and the buyout for leaving the second job, which was $9 million under the old deal, is expected to be high.

“For me it’s a holistic approach,” Lloyd said. “It’s not one thing anymore. Arizona basketball needs to be a locomotive where everything around it is pushing it forward.”

Lloyd praised athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois and president Suresh Garimella for agreeing to the deal and planning for the future of Arizona basketball.

“Tommy Lloyd is the best coach in college basketball and we have full confidence in the future of Arizona basketball under his leadership,” Reed-Francois said in a statement. “The success of our program this season – winning championships, competing on the sport’s biggest stage and excelling academically – is a testament to the standard he and his staff have set. He has recruited and developed characterful student-athletes who make a positive impact on our team, our campus and our community. Tommy has strengthened our foundation while respecting the tradition that makes Arizona basketball one of the premier programs in the country, and we are thrilled that he Will continue to lead this program at the highest level for years to come.”

“Coach Lloyd has led our men’s basketball program with clarity of purpose and a commitment to excellence,” Garimella said in a statement. “This past season was one of the finest in the history of Arizona Athletics, reflecting the culture he has built and the continuity of the program. He has re-established Arizona basketball as one of the best programs in the country and leads a team that is unified and performing at the highest level on the court and in the classroom. I am very pleased we have come to an agreement to extend his contract and his leadership. We look forward to continued success.”

Arizona players were excited for their head coach.

“I know Coach Lloyd was going to make the best decision for him and his career,” the senior guard jaden bradley Said. “I’m excited he re-signed with Arizona. I know the fan base is excited too, but I know he’s definitely focused on what’s happening here and he’s happy for himself and his extension.”

“Very happy for the coach,” the new forward player koa peat Said. “Tucson loves him. He loves Tucson. … He’s one of the best coaches in the country and he’s down to Arizona. It’s obviously extremely special for us.”

North Carolina’s pursuit of Lloyd remained a storyline in the Final Four, with Lloyd refusing to outright reject the Tar Heels’ interest on several occasions.

“I’m a simple guy. I only own one thing at a time. I’m not a multi-tasker,” Lloyd said when asked about the vacancy in his pregame press conference Thursday. “You can ask my wife. So, I’m 100% stuck with Arizona basketball right now, and I’m excited to see what this team can do. I have a really strong belief in this team and this team deserves my full attention, so that’s what I’m giving.”

After Arizona’s win Purdue Last weekend, as part of a longer answer about the importance of the Wildcats advancing to the Final Four, Lloyd said, “Arizona is going to have another good coach after me. I promise you that.”

Asked about those statements Tuesday, Lloyd reiterated his views.

“That’s absolutely true,” he said. “There’s going to be another coach coming in. It’s a great program. I just can’t tell when.”

“People are speculating all they want. Guys, I’m completely focused on this team. Nothing, nothing — I promise you, nothing — is distracting me from that path.”

Since arriving at Arizona in 2021, Lloyd has guided the Wildcats to three regular-season conference championships, two Pac-12 titles and this year’s Big 12 title. They have earned a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in four of their five NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the Sweet 16 or better four times.

Arizona won both the Big 12 regular-season and conference tournament championships this season, and advanced to the program’s first Final Four since 2001.

Lloyd is 148-35 in five seasons with Arizona. His 148 wins are the most in his first five seasons for any head coach in NCAA history.

Before taking over at Arizona, Lloyd was there gonzaga From 2000, served as an assistant coach under Mark Few for 20 seasons. The Bulldogs reached the NCAA Tournament in every season that Lloyd was in the program, where he established himself as one of the best international recruiters and premier assistant coaches in college basketball.

There will be a contest between Lloyd and top seed Arizona. michigan In Saturday’s Final Four.

ESPN’s Myron Medcalf contributed to this report.