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An elite deal: Kelly Graves inks six-year extension with Oregon

By Mike Peden

Oregon Ducks head coach Kelly Graves watches as UConn takes a commanding lead during the first half in the East Regional Elite 8 game on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. UConn led 49-24 at the half. (John Woike/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images)
Oregon Ducks head coach Kelly Graves watches as UConn takes a commanding lead during the first half in the East Regional Elite 8 game on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. UConn led 49-24 at the half. (John Woike/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images) /
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In a season of surprises, Oregon fans have another cause for celebration.

On Thursday, the school announced a six-year contract extension for head coach Kelly Graves. The $4.125 million deal locks Graves through the 2022-23 season.

“We’re thrilled with the trajectory of the program, and look forward to continued growth in the coming years,” Graves said in a statement published by Oregon.

SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 04: Oregon Ducks head coach Kelly Graves during the women’s Pac 12 college tournament game between the Oregon Ducks and the Stanford Cardinals on March 4th, 2017, at the Key Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Aric Becker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 04: Oregon Ducks head coach Kelly Graves during the women’s Pac 12 college tournament game between the Oregon Ducks and the Stanford Cardinals on March 4th, 2017, at the Key Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Aric Becker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Gauging Oregon’s trajectory was a tough proposition in the regular season, which included an 8-10 record in Pac-12 play. However, the Ducks rallied in the post-season. A win over Washington in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 tournament helped secure an NCAA tournament berth.

From there, Oregon knocked off perennial powers Duke and Maryland en route to their first Elite Eight appearance in school history. They also became the third double-digit seed in women’s tournament history to reach that round.

Moving forward, the Ducks have plenty of evidence to suggest the contract extension will benefit all parties; Graves was instrumental in Gonzaga’s ascension prior to taking the Oregon job. The Ducks also return virtually all of their primary contributors, including Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard.

While other schools across the country navigate transfers and withdrawals, Oregon hopes a degree of stability will improve their potential in the seasons to come.

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