Omaha head coach Chris Crutchfield is finalizing a contract extension to stay with the Mavericks through the 2029-30 season. The deal would put Crutchfield near the top of the Summit League in terms of salary and incentives, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.
The deal comes after Crutchfield led the Mavericks to their first-ever NCAA Division I tournament appearance. The team has been eligible for the tournament since 2015-16, four years after transitioning into the NCAA’s top division.
Chris Crutchfield and Omaha finalizing a Rich Contract Extension through the 2029-2030 season
Crutchfield took over for the fired Derrin Hansen in 2022, improving the Mavericks by four wins from their abysmal 5-25 season in 2021-22. Crutchfield improved the team to 15-18 in year two with the program, with a 7-9 Summit League record good for sixth in the conference.
Source: Omaha’s Chris Crutchfield is finalizing a contract extension through the 2029-30 season.
The total package will put Crutchfield near the top of the Summit League in terms of salary and incentives.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 26, 2025
This year, Crutchfield led Omaha to a 22-12, 13-3 season, suitable for sole first-place possession of the Summit League for the first time since joining in 2012. He also clinched an NCAA tournament bid with an 85-75 win over No. 2 St. Thomas in the Summit League tournament, earning him Summit League Coach of the Year honors.
The Mavericks were awarded a No. 15 seed and a matchup against No. 2 St. John’s for their efforts, but they lost 83-53 in the first round.
With a new contract under his belt, Crutchfield will have a lot of work to do. Star forward and Summit League Player of the Year Marquel Sutton announced he was entering the transfer portal and NBA Draft, and starting guard JJ White announced he was entering the portal. The duo led the team in points, combining for 33.6 per game.
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Before Omaha, Crutchfield bounced around the country as an assistant and on staff for the 2016 Oklahoma team that made the Final Four. He spent one year as Division II East Central’s head coach in Ada, Oklahoma, in 2020-21 before joining Dana Altman’s staff the following season.
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