WICHITA, Kan. – Following back-to-back postseason appearances and a 24-win season, Wichita State has signed head men's basketball coach Paul Mills to a three-year contract extension that runs through June 30, 2031.

Mills has guided Wichita State to 58 wins through his first three seasons, second most of any head coach in program history, trailing only Eddie Fogler's 61 from 1986-89. The Shockers have improved their win total every year under Mills, going from 15 to 19 to 24 this past season. Wichita State is also coming off a second place finish in the American Conference after being picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches poll and the program's first American Conference Championship game appearance since joining the league in 2017-18. He was a finalist for the prestigious Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award in 2026.

"Paul Mills has built a strong and sustainable foundation for Shocker Basketball, evidenced by consistent year-over-year improvement, back-to-back postseason appearances and a most recent 24-win season," Director of Athletics Kevin Saal said. "Just as importantly, with great character and integrity, he and his staff are developing young men who represent Wichita State with excellence in the classroom, in competition and throughout our community.  Paul's commitment to player development and roster continuity has positioned our program for continued success in an ever-changing college basketball landscape. We are fortunate and grateful to extend our partnership with Paul, and we have tremendous confidence in the direction, momentum and championship vision he is building for Shocker Basketball."

Wichita State hosted its first NIT game in Charles Koch Arena since 2011 and advanced to the quarterfinals. Mills brings back 10 returners from the 24-win 2025-26 roster. In an era dominated by the Transfer Portal year in and year out, Mills has bucked that trend unlike most programs in the American Conference. Since 2024, Wichita State has lost only eight student-athletes to the transfer portal (3 in 2024, 3 in 2025 and 2 in 2026).

"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve Wichita State University as its basketball coach," Mills said. "Thank you to Dr. Muma, Kevin Saal and the entire Wichita State community for your continued belief and investment in Shocker basketball. I'm excited about what is ahead. My staff and I understand the important work that is in front of us. I'm confident that the next chapters will come with championship celebrations. I couldn't be more excited about being able to celebrate with a Wichita community who we are honored to serve."

Behind a strong finish to the season in 2025-26, Wichita State had a Top-70 NET ranking, more than 80 spots higher from the end of his first season. It marked the best final NET ranking for Wichita State since 2021 when the Shockers also finished No. 70.

Under Mills' leadership, Wichita State has had back-to-back seasons with a First Team All-Conference selection (Xavier Bell 2025, Kenyon Giles 2026) for the first time as an American Conference member. Bell's emergence as a senior in 2025 led him to first team honors, becoming the first Shocker to collect first team honors in four years. Giles enjoyed a record-breaking campaign in 2025-26, shattering single season marks from beyond the arc. The development of Will Berg throughout the year paved the way for the Sweden native to earn American Sixth Man of the Year honors, becoming just the second Shocker to win the award. Corey Washington was a Second Team All-Conference pick in 2025 and Karon Boyd a third team selection in 2026.

Mills' teams have excelled in the classroom and in the community as well. Bell was the American Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2024-25 and the 2023-24 team won the American Men's Basketball Team Academic Excellence Award. Two of the top-5 semester team GPAs have also come during Mills' tenure as head coach. Every fall, Mills and the entire men's basketball team and staff spend time volunteering with the Habitat for Humanity.

Wichita State is nearing the completion of a very strong non-conference schedule that already includes home games vs. Top-60 NET opponents in New Mexico and Boise State, and high profile neutral site contests in Kansas City vs. Drake and Kansas State.

Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday. Summer ticket office hours are 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. in person and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. over the phone.

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Individuals interested in donating to the We Fight For Wichita Fund may do so at GoShockers.com/Giving. For more information, contact the WSU Development Office at 316-978-SASO (7276).