DAYTON, Ohio—NIU head coach Jim Molinari, who has compiled 42 wins in his two seasons at the Huskies’ helm, said he plans to return as NIU’s coach next season, despite rumors that he is in the forefront for several vacant coaching jobs.

“No one has contacted me and I’m not really looking for people to contact me,” Molinari said.

“I want to sit down with (NIU Athletic Director) Gerald O’Dell Monday and talk about what we have to do with our program to keep building on the foundation we’ve built this year.”

‘Along with the over 300 media representatives on hand at the Dayton regional, the participating schools were allotted 250 tickets each. NIU distributed 175 to school officials, athletic department personnel, NIU band members and to team members. The remaining 75 were put on sale on a priority basis to Athletic Department boosters and season-ticket holders. Twenty-five tickets were allotted for sale to NIU students.

‘The exact amount of the financial windfall for NCAA Tournament teams hasn’t been determined yet, but each participating team earned approximately $250,000 per first and second round appearance last year. With Wisconsin-Green Bay and NIU both receiving bids, the Mid-Continent Conference will split approximately $500,000 among its members.

Based on last year’s numbers, NIU would expect a payout in the $80,000 range, but the NCAA’s new one billion dollar contract with CBS could drastically change that amount. The Mid-Continent will also have to determine if new member Wright State will receive a full share with the other eight conference members.

The Huskies received approximately $60,000 last year as its share from the M-C’s tournament earnings. M-C teams competed in three NCAA games last season, but with NIU and UW-GB both suffering first round losses, this year’s total payout might be less than last year’s.