Hofstra clarifies: Cassara signed for four years

With the national letter of intent early-signing period open until Wednesday, Hofstra athletic director Jack Hayes issued a statement Friday clarifying the contract status of first-year basketball coach Mo Cassara.

"When his hire was released, we announced that coach Cassara had signed a multiyear agreement with the university," Hayes said in the statement. "To clarify, coach Cassara has a four-year contract, and we are excited about the program that Mo is developing. Hofstra University looks forward to a successful 2010-11 campaign and many more in the future with Mo Cassara as our head coach."

Cassara was elevated to head coach May 5 after Tim Welsh was dismissed following a DUI arrest.

Welsh had been on the job for barely a month after replacing Tom Pecora, who departed to take the Fordham job. Cassara was Welsh's top assistant.

According to a Hofstra source, Cassara's contract is guaranteed for the full four-year term. His tenure begins with the season opener against Farmingdale State at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Mack Sports Complex.