Fayetteville, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - Arkansas has signed head football coach Bret Bielema to a two-year contract extension through December 2020.
Additionally, Bielema's total pay has been bumped to $4 million for the 2015 season. There will be additional increases of $100,000 per year through the remainder of the contract, with the new deal averaging $4.25 million over six years.
"Coach Bret Bielema is not only one of the best college football coaches in the nation, he is an outstanding leader," athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement Saturday. "What Coach Bielema and his coaching staff have done for our young men, on and off the field, is something that has dramatically changed the course of our program and most importantly positively impacted the lives of our football student-athletes. He is building a championship program in a way that all Arkansans can be proud of. We look forward to his continued leadership of our football program and the many successes yet to come."
Bielema left Wisconsin in December 2012 to become the head coach of the Razorbacks. His first season at Arkansas resulted in an overall record of 3-9, including 0-8 in the Southeastern Conference.
In 2014, however, Arkansas finished 7-6, including a 31-7 victory over Texas in the Texas Bowl. It was the Razorbacks' first winning season since 2011.
"My wife and I love Arkansas and the tremendous support the Razorbacks receive throughout the entire state," Bielema said. "We are also appreciative of the unwavering support of Chancellor (Dave) Gearhart, Jeff Long and the entire Razorback nation as we all work together to give Arkansas something it has never had in the most competitive conference in the nation."
The 45-year-old Bielema amassed a 68-24 record in seven seasons at Wisconsin before leaving for Fayetteville.
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