Suzy Merchant appreciative of contract extension with Michigan State women's basketball

EAST LANSING − Suzy Merchant has accomplished plenty while becoming one of the winningest coaches in Michigan State women's basketball history.

And the veteran Spartan leader is appreciative of the opportunity to see what more she can help the program achieve after recently agreeing to a five-year contract extension through 2027.

"I just really appreciate the support," Merchant said following the Spartans' exhibition win over Saginaw Valley on Sunday. "In this business as you know, recruits always want to know how long you're going to be here and where do you stand and what not. I just really do appreciate our administration and (athletic director) Alan Haller for the opportunity to stand on the sidelines.

"Growing up here, this place means a lot to me so to have an opportunity to do that for the next five years is encouraging – there's no question. I'm proud of what we've done here, but we have a lot ahead of us. I'm very excited about getting the opportunity to be the coach here for the next five years."

According to the USA TODAY coaches salary database from March, Merchant ranked 31st nationally with a base salary of $637,654.

Merchant, who is entering her 16th season leading the Spartans, surpassed 500 career coaching wins and 300 for her career at MSU last season. She is one of two coaches in Spartan women's basketball history with more than 300 victories.

Merchant enters this season with a 311-172 record at MSU. She only trails Karen Langeland, who had 376 victories while in charge of the Spartans.

MSU won Big Ten titles in 2011 and 2014 and has 10 seasons with at least 20 victories and 10 NCAA tournament appearances since Merchant took over in 2007.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State's Suzy Merchant receives contract extension