The Denver Nuggets exercised their three-year option on coach George Karl's contract on Tuesday, keeping him with the team through the 2009-10 NBA season.
Under Karl, the Nuggets have enjoyed their best stretch since joining the league in 1976.
He was hired on Jan. 27, 2005, and has led the team to a 76-46 regular-season record and .628 winning percentage.
George Karl, right, has guided the Nuggets to a 76-46 regular-season record since he was hired in January 2005.
(David Zalubowski/Associated Press)
"As we've said all along, we're committed to building a championship-calibre team," Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke said. "We believe today's announcement, coupled with the moves we've made throughout the off-season, will take us closer to achieving our ultimate goal."
The Nuggets went 32-8 in 2004-05 after Karl's hiring and won their first divisional title since 1987-88 last season despite a spate of injuries to their frontcourt.
This off-season, the Nuggets signed Brazilian forward Nene and star Carmelo Anthony to big contracts.
Anthony signed a $80-million US, five-year extension and Nene signed a $60-million US, six-year deal.
"This franchise is moving in a great direction and I'm honoured to be a part of it," Karl said. "I look forward to continuing what we've started."
Karl has 784 wins in his 18-season career, which has included jobs at Milwaukee, Seattle, Golden State and Cleveland.
