Jan 9, 2007, 23:50 GMT
Houston, TX - Rice University extended the contract of head football coach Todd Graham through the 2012 season on Tuesday.
Graham led the Owls to their first bowl berth in 45 years this past season as the team lost to Troy in the New Orleans Bowl on December 22.
'We know we have the right man for the job at Rice and with this extension, we have made a firm commitment to him and his vision for Rice Football in the future,' said athletic director Chris Del Conte.
Rice, which went 7-6 this season, hired Graham on January 1, 2006 after he was the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Tulsa the previous three seasons.
'I am very grateful to Rice University for the opportunity to coach this team and for the commitment the University has made to me and to my staff as look forward to build on the efforts of our first season,' Graham said.
Before going to Tulsa, Graham spent two years at West Virginia as an assistant working with the linebackers (2001) and as the defensive scheme coordinator and safeties coach (2002).
Graham took over for Ken Hatfield, who spent 12 years at Rice and led the Owls to a record of 1-10, including a 1-7 mark in Conference USA, last season.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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