Updated

Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Kentucky has signed head football coach Mark Stoops to a contract extension through the 2018 season.

The new agreement extends the deal from Dec. 31, 2017 to June 30, 2019.

"We are excited about the enthusiasm and recruiting success that Mark and his staff have brought to our football program," director of athletics Mitch Barnhart said in a statement Tuesday. "We had the nation's second-largest increase in attendance last season and we have had the two largest spring-game attendances in school history (in 2013 and 2014).

"In recruiting, Mark and his tireless assistant coaches have made an obvious impact with their first two classes and that momentum is carrying forward for 2015."

The Wildcats went just 2-10 in Stoops' first and only season so far in Lexington.