Football
Associated Press 19y

Iowa coach signs contract extension through 2012

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz signed a
three-year extension that will keep him under contract with the
Hawkeyes through 2012.

The new deal will pay Ferentz a base salary of $1.2 million and
includes incentives for postseason bowl appearances and the team's
academic achievement.

The school announced the extension Tuesday, the same day the
Hawkeyes accepted an invitation to play in the Capital One Bowl.

The timing of the deal should also end speculation that Ferentz
may be lured to another college program or the NFL at the end of
the season.

"I would hope so, at least for a week or two," joked Ferentz.
"We're just all extremely proud of what's happened here. And we're
really excited about what's ahead of us right now."

The No. 12 Hawkeyes (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten) claimed a share of the
league title with a 30-7 win over Wisconsin on Saturday. The
victory was the seventh in a row for the Hawkeyes and 18th straight
at home, the fourth longest streak in the nation.

For the first time in school history, Ferentz has led Iowa to
three straight January bowl games and a shot at three consecutive
10-win seasons.

"I couldn't be any more pleased with it," athletic director
Bob Bowlsby said of the new deal. "I think (Ferentz) exemplifies
everything that is good about college athletics. Our program is on
a very solid base right now.

"We obviously are paying a lot of money, and I consider it a
terrific bargain for our university."

Ferentz is guaranteed a raise after any season in which the
Hawkeyes appear in a bowl game and their team graduation rate is
better than 55 percent. He also qualifies for a bonus of $400,000
each year he remains with Iowa as of June 1.

"I feel very fortunate to be at Iowa, and I deeply appreciate
the university extending my contract," said Ferentz, who with
bonuses and incentives earned $1.9 million last year.

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