BIBBY SIGNS ON FOR MORE DEAL MOVES USC COACH INTO ELITE COMPANY.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

USC basketball coach Henry Bibby ended months of negotiating Friday by signing a three-year contract extension that is intended to keep him at the university through the 2004-2005 season.

The deal is being added on to the existing two years of Bibby's original contract. He is expected to be paid about $375,000 next season and the extension should eventually push him over the $600,000 mark, which would place him in the upper echelon of Pacific-10 Conference coaches.

``I'm honored that USC and (athletic director) Mike Garrett have given me the opportunity to continue building upon the success we've had with this program,'' Bibby said. ``Each year we've gotten better and better. This extension solidifies the direction in which Trojan basketball is headed. It's an exciting future and I'm proud that USC wants me to be part of it.''

There might some debate over whether Bibby will actually be around by the end of the contract. He spoke with University of Memphis officials about its then-vacant job last winter and he has previously been interested in the Clippers' coaching position.

Bibby had agreed to a verbal extension with USC officials in March, but negotiations broke down and there was virtually no contact in April and May. The two sides agreed in May, however, that a deal could be worked out over the summer.

Bibby signed his new contract prior to fielding what should be his strongest team in his four-plus seasons. The Trojans have been ranked in several early top-25 polls.

USC returns all five starters from last year's 16-14 team and seven of their top eight players. In addition, USC signed prep All-American shooting guard Desmon Farmer of Flint, Mich., along with point guard Robert Hutchinson and shooting guard Gennaro Busterna. Also, 7-foot-3 freshman center Luke Minor will be eligible after redshirting last season.

It's conceivable the Trojans could be chosen to finish among the top three teams in the Pac-10 next year. And USC has gotten off to a fast start in recruiting this summer, with commitments from twin brother guards Errick and Derrick Craven of Bishop Montgomery in Torrance.

Bibby has led USC to three winning seasons and a pair of postseason appearances (the 1997 NCAA Tournament and the 1999 National Invitation Tournament).

``We're happy with the progress of the Trojan men's basketball program under Henry Bibby,'' Garrett said. ``This contract extension is a reflection of that. Now, we're looking for continued development in his program; all indications are that we should be seeing such success in the coming years.''

The university is also publicly committed to building an on-campus arena and hopes to begin groundbreaking before the end of the year, although it still is in the process of raising the necessary funds.

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Photo: (color) BIBBY