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Iona head coach Tim Cluess has been briefly connected to a few available head coaching jobs in the past, but the Gaels are nipping that before the coaching carousel really gets going.

Cluess has been given a contract extension through the 2018-19 season, the school announced on Thursday afternoon.

"I believe in Tim Cluess and continue to be impressed by all he has been able to achieve with his talented team and staff," Iona College President Dr. Joseph E. Nyre said in a statement. "We couldn't be more pleased with his tremendous accomplishments on and off the court."

"I'm very proud to be a part of the Iona College Community," Cluess added. "We will continue to work hard to build on our recent success on the court and I'm very appreciative of the support Dr. Nyre and our administration has given us."

Iona is 20-9 heading into the MAAC tournament, as the Gaels look for their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Cluess has won at least 20 games in each of his four seasons in New Rochelle, setting a program record this season with 17 MAAC wins. 

"The success Coach Cluess has had since arriving at Iona has been almost unprecedented," said Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. "We're very excited to have him on board for at least another five years. His commitment to the overall success of his student-athletes is what makes Coach Cluess the right man for Iona."

Prior to arriving at Iona, Cluess was the head coach for four seasons at C.W. Post on Long Island.