New Jersey Nets Head Coach Lawrence Frank has signed a multi-year extension, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

“We are pleased to announce this contract extension, which will keep Lawrence on the Nets sidelines for the foreseeable future,” said Thorn. “Lawrence has done an outstanding job, and we feel confident that he will continue to provide the leadership so invaluable to the success of our team in the future."

“Lawrence is a terrific coach and one of the hardest working people I’ve been around,” said Nets principal owner Bruce Ratner. “His energy, leadership and detailed approach have played a huge part in making us a successful team. Without a doubt, Lawrence is the right coach to lead us for years to come.”

“I would like to thank principal owner Bruce Ratner and the other Net owners, President Rod Thorn, and GM Ed Stefanski for this contract extension,” said Frank. “I am truly fortunate for the support from this first class organization. I would also like to express my appreciation to our coaching staff and players for their effort, sacrifice, and dedication over the past three and a half seasons. I look forward to continuing and improving upon the winning tradition of Nets Basketball.”

Frank, who became the all-time winningest head coach in Nets franchise history on 3/31/07, has gone 157-129 (.549 winning percentage) during his three and a half year tenure as the Nets head coach. The Nets have reached the playoffs in each of the last four postseasons under Frank’s watch, as he has accumulated an 18-20 (.474 winning percentage) career postseason record.

Frank was named the NBA’s Coach of the Month for the fourth time of his career when he garnered the honor in April 2007 after guiding the Nets to an Eastern Conference best 7-2 record. He also earned Coach of the Month honors in March 2006, April 2005 and February 2004.

The Teaneck, New Jersey native was named the Nets’ head coach on June 21, 2004, after being tabbed as the interim head coach on January 26, 2004. Frank began his NBA coaching career in record-setting style, as he went 13-0 from January 27-February 24, which set a new NBA mark for the most consecutive wins by a head coach to begin a coaching career and was also the longest winning streak of any coach of the four major professional sports to begin a career.

Prior to his appointment as the Nets head coach, Frank had spent three and a half seasons as an assistant coach for the Nets. Before joining the Nets, Frank spent time as an assistant with the Vancouver Grizzlies, at the University of Tennessee and at Marquette University.

The Indiana University graduate spent four seasons as the manager for the Hoosier basketball team led by Bob Knight. Frank earned his B.S. in education from Indiana and went on to receive an M.S. in education administration from Marquette.