Men’s basketball head coach Ethan Faulkner awarded contract extension
Youngstown State University men’s basketball second-year Head Coach Ethan Faulkner, who led the Penguins to their third straight 20-win season in 2024-25, has signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo announced.
“We are thrilled to give Ethan this contract extension,” Strollo said. “Coach Faulkner and his staff have worked tirelessly to continue the upward trajectory of our men’s basketball program. He has deservedly earned respect from our staff, university leaders, community and his peers in the coaching profession, and we are confident that he will continue to elevate our program.”
“I am extremely excited and grateful to continue to lead the Youngstown State Men’s Basketball program,” Faulkner said. “I want to thank President (Bill) Johnson, our board of trustees, and athletic director Ron Strollo for their confidence in me.
“Our program continues to build momentum year after year. Youngstown is a unique place with incredible support from our athletic department, and a community that has great pride in our program. I look forward to watching our program continue to grow in the future.”
During his first season at the helm of the program, Faulkner guided the Penguins to a 21-13 overall record and the program’s first appearance in the Horizon League Championship game. It marked the first time in program history that Youngstown State recorded at least 20 wins in three consecutive seasons.
He was also named a finalist for the 2024-25 Joe B. Hall Award, which is presented annually to the top first-time head coach in Division I college basketball. The Joe B. Hall Award is named in honor of longtime Kentucky head coach Joe B. Hall who was given the task of following the legendary Adolph Rupp at the school.
Faulkner guided the Penguins to a 13-7 mark in Horizon League play, which marked the third straight season with at least 13 conference wins. Youngstown State also set a YSU Division I record with eight straight wins from Nov. 30, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025.
The Penguins made 299 3-pointers on the season, which ranked second on the single-season list, and scored 2,599 points for an average of 76.4 points per game.
Three players earned Horizon League postseason recognition in 2024-25. EJ Farmer led the Penguins with 15.1 points per game while Nico Galette posted 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and both were named to the All-Horizon League Third Team. Gabe Dynes led the nation with 104 blocks and ranked second with 3.06 blocks per game, and he was named to the Horizon League All-Defensive Team.
He was an integral part of the program’s first regular-season conference championship, first berth to the National Invitation Tournament, first appearance in the Horizon League Championship game, and winning 119 games over the last six seasons. Since Faulkner joined the staff, Youngstown State players have garnered All-Horizon League laurels 13 times, including 10 in the last four seasons.
Faulkner played a key role in guiding the Penguins to six straight winning seasons for the first time in YSU’s Division I era (since 1981-82). Over the last four years, the Penguins have won a Horizon League-best 54 conference games and a league-high 87 games overall. During that time, YSU has also won 51 games at Beeghly Center, and won a Division I record 14 home games in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Fans can purchase season tickets by calling the YSU Athletics Ticket Office at (330) 941-1YSU, purchase online at YSUSports.com or visit the Athletic Ticket Office in Stambaugh Stadium. Penguin Club/Courtside Coaches Club memberships for the upcoming campaign are also available.