DePaul Basketball Has Extended Chris Holtmann's Contract

The university committed to the men's basketball head coach through the 2030-31 season.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Basketball

DePaul Basketball Has Extended Chris Holtmann's Contract

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DePaul University has finalized a contract extension with men's basketball head coach Chris Holtmann, securing his position through the 2030-31 season. The agreement follows the coach's efforts to rebuild the program's competitive foundation in Chicago.

Why it matters

The extension signals the administration's confidence in Holtmann's ability to elevate the team's standing within the Big East Conference. It aims to provide stability and continuity for a program that has undergone significant leadership changes in recent years.

Holtmann holds a career coaching record of 281-207 over 15 seasons. In his second year at DePaul, he improved the team to a 16-16 overall record and 8-12 in Big East play, compared to 14-20 and 4-16 respectively in his first season.

The players

Chris Holtmann

He is the head coach of the DePaul University men's basketball team who has led the program since 2024.

DeWayne Peevy

He serves as the athletic director for DePaul University and is responsible for managing the school's sports programs.

Tony Stubblefield

He is the former head coach of DePaul men's basketball who was dismissed from the position after serving for two-plus seasons.

The details

Athletic director DeWayne Peevy announced the deal on Tuesday, citing the program's increased visibility and competitive progress under Holtmann's leadership. Holtmann, who is 55, took over the head coaching role after the department fired Tony Stubblefield.

March 2024: DePaul officially hired Chris Holtmann.
September 29, 2026: DeWayne Peevy announced the contract extension.
November 2026: Chris Holtmann turns 55 years old.
2030-31 season: The new contract extension is set to expire.

Season Trajectory

This extension solidifies the program's direction following the 2024 hiring of Chris Holtmann. It suggests a strategic shift toward long-term development after the coaching transition that followed the previous tenure.

The extension provides the program with a stable coaching presence as it seeks to improve its standing within the Big East. Supporters can now anticipate a consistent strategic approach for the remainder of the decade.

The takeaway

The multi-year commitment highlights the university's strategy to prioritize program consistency and development. Providing a head coach with long-term security is a common approach used by programs aiming to reverse a cycle of underperformance.