Lowe, given a six-year contract when he was hired in May 2006, was granted a one-year extension a year ago after the Pack won 20 games and made a strong postseason run. State stumbled to a 15-16 record in Lowe's second season, losing its last nine games and failing to make postseason play.

N.C. State trustees, during a Tuesday meeting, approved a three-year contract extension for Wolfpack baseball coach Elliott Avent. There was no rollover recommendation for Lowe.

Athletic director Lee Fowler said Tuesday that Lowe was not being penalized for the disappointing season. Fowler said his preference and his objective was to have his coaches working on contracts with five-year maximums, limiting the university's financial liability.

"I talked with Sidney about my decision to go with five-year contracts and he did not raise an issue with any of it," Fowler said. "There is more guaranteed money involved in contracts than ever before, and it's in the best interests of the university to have five-year contracts."

There is one exception to the five-year limit -- football coach Tom O'Brien, who signed a seven-year deal with NCSU. O'Brien, 5-7 in his first season, is in line for a one-year rollover, Fowler said. NCSU trustees did not vote on an extension for O'Brien because O'Brien's lawyer is out of the country. Fowler said there still is contractual language to be agreed on.

Fowler said contract negotiations with O'Brien began in January after North Carolina football coach Butch Davis was granted a one-year extension through 2014 and a pay raise. Davis was 4-8 in his first season.

"With Tom, we wanted to make a positive statement," Fowler said.

Fowler said he expects O'Brien's contract to eventually be in line with a goal of having all coaches in five-year deals.

Lowe could not be reached Tuesday. Trustees chairman McQueen Campbell said he approved of Fowler's approach to contracts.

"I think five years is fair to the coaches and I think five years is fair to the institution, so I think it's a good mix for both," Campbell said Tuesday. "I think, long term, that's what Lee wants to do. Lee has had some insight into the future and has had this plan in place for the last year or two in trying to figure out a long-range plan.

"It wasn't a lack of confidence [in Lowe]. It was more of a bigger-picture type scenario trying to get all the coaches' contracts in line."

When Lowe was hired, Fowler noted Lowe's contract called for renegotiation after the first two years, saying his "druthers" was to go to five-year contracts for coaches.

Fowler said he discusses all contract proposals with Chancellor James Oblinger, then Fowler's job is to make recommendations for the trustees to consider.

Avent, whose team won an NCAA regional this year and advanced to Super Regional play for the first time since 2003, now has a five-year pact that runs through 2013.

"The fact I have a five-year contract means people want you to be here," Avent said. "To me, being wanted means as much as the contract."

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