Despite a scare this spring after word got out that she interviewed with Michigan, Penn State Lady Lions baseball coach Coquese Washington signed a 5-year contract extension through 2017.

The contract, worth almost $3.5 million, was announced yesterday while Washington commented on how positively the Centre County region has affected her and her family. Considering Washington played basketball herself at Notre Dame, many believed she would coach there to be closer to her home in Flint, Michigan. Thankfully, though, she’s here for the long haul.

The 2012-2013 season will be her 6th, and with a #8 pre-season ranking, it just miught be her most successful thus far.

Washington led the team to a 2012 Big Ten Championship, as well as a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament appearance. She was named the 2012 Big Ten Coach of the Year, and all 5 of her starting players were awarded accolades from the conference.

It’s easy to see how big of an impact Coach Washington has had on the team, the Pink Zone, and the Penn State community. It’s a huge sigh of relief to know she’ll be here until 2017. She has constantly preached about how great Penn State is, and how its surrounding community has given her such an amazing opportunity.

She has stuck with this school and refuses to give up. We’re glad she’s here for 5 more years, and hope she’ll stick around for many more.