Long-term contract for Tulsa coach

TULSA, Okla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Todd Graham has agreed to a new 10-year contract to be the head coach of the University of Tulsa football program through the 2018 season.

The Hurricanes have compiled a 20-7 record under Graham's guidance the past two seasons, and their contest against No. 22 Ball State at the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6 will be their second straight appearance.

Their 63-7 win over Bowling Green at last season's GMAC Bowl established an NCAA bowl-record margin of victory.

"This makes a bold statement to our recruits and the football community that there is great stability in the University of Tulsa football program," Graham said on the school's Web site Thursday. "We have a tremendous support staff of boosters, alumni lettermen and fans that want to build this program into a top-15 program nationally year-in and year-out."

Graham was an assistant coach at Tulsa from 2003-05, and also was an assistant under Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia.