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Akron gives Lebron’s high school coach a contract extension

By Brad Rowland

Mar 21, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Akron Zips head coach Keith Dambrot watches the game in the second half against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Akron Zips head coach Keith Dambrot watches the game in the second half against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Akron Zips head coach Keith Dambrot watches the game in the second half against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Akron Zips head coach Keith Dambrot watches the game in the second half against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Have you ever seen the Lebron James documentary entitled “More Than a Game”? Well, if you haven’t, the movie featured Lebron in his journey through high school with his best friends on the team, and during the process, the audience is introduced to former Akron-area high school coach Keith Dambrot.

Now, Dambrot is coaching at Akron, and he has the Zips as an emerging power in the mid-major world of college hoops. As a result, he has been given a contract extension that will keep him in the state of Ohio through the 2022-2023 season.

It is certainly important to note that the extension (announced on Monday) is actually only a one year increase from his previous, 10-year contract, but Dambrot received an undisclosed raise after taking the Zips to a 26-win campaign (tied for the school record) and an NCAA tournament berth in 2012-2013.

This is the type of maneuver that mid-major programs are forced to pull in order to keep their up-and-coming guys, but in Dambrot’s case, this could take him to the end of his coaching career. He has already 54 years old after his high school tour followed a stint at Central Michigan, and this is the “big payday” for the Akron head coach.

It’s tough to envision Akron making another step forward, but it appears that the program will be in good hands for the better part of a decade.