UW men’s basketball coach Lorenzo Romar recently signed a contract extension, staking his place with the Huskies until 2016.

In the past five years, Romar has led the team to a 103-55 record and three straight NCAA tournament appearances. He ranks fifth in victories among UW coaches.

“When I took this job, I made it very clear that the University of Washington is the place where I wanted to be and that I was not interested in being anywhere else,” Romar said in a UW Athletic Department press release.

The new contract guarantees Romar $1.11 million per season; it was drafted last November, said Executive Associate Athletic Director Jeff Compher.

Compher said attorneys decided not to rush the agreement because both parties shared a mutual interest.

“[Romar] is a premiere coach, and there is talk of other openings in the future, whether it is collegiate or NBA jobs,” Compher said. “We want to let him know we want him right here and he shouldn’t be distracted elsewhere.”

Associate Athletic Director for Communications Richard Kilwien said the contract also includes buyout clauses in case Romar leaves the UW before the expiration date or is fired.

If the UW terminates the contract, Romar will receive $700,000 times the number for each year remaining on the contract. If he leaves for a Pac-10 school, the UW will receive $1 million.

Compher said part of Romar’s success comes from his coaching staff, which has worked together for several years, as well as from his strong recruiting.

“We will have a relatively young team but a relatively experienced team as well,” Compher said.

Next year’s team will have only two seniors, guards Tim Morris and Ryan Appleby. Forward Jon Brockman and Joel Smith, a guard who has recovered from a stress fracture to his foot, are returning this season.

Romar’s new contract provides him with one of the highest coaching salaries in the nation, according to a report in The Seattle Times.

Compher said the UW will do anything to ensure Romar stays in Washington.

“The extension is a culmination of Romar’s success thus far and his anticipated success in the future,” Compher said. “We’re happy he wants to be here.”