Jan 12, 2007 - 5:48 PM
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Graham was named Tulsa's new football coach Friday, barely 72 hours after signing an extension with the Owls through the 2012 season.
Graham replaces Steve Kragthorpe, who filled the opening at Louisville after Bobby Petrino took the Atlanta Falcons job. The 42-year-old Graham had served as Kragthorpe's defensive coordinator from 2003-05 before leaving for Rice, where he went 7-6 in his lone season.
The Owls had started 0-4 before winning seven of their final nine contests, earning their first bowl berth in 45 years and Graham Coach of the Year honors in Conference USA. Included in that span was a 41-38 triumph at Tulsa on November 4.
"We're extremely pleased to have Todd Graham return to The University of Tulsa as our football coach," athletic director Bubba Cunningham said. "There's no question that Todd fits the two main attributes we were looking for in a head coach, the ability to recruit and the right fit for our University. Todd's enthusiasm is infectious and his football knowledge and coaching ability is evident."
"I'm very excited for my family, and thrilled about this opportunity to be the head football coach at The University of Tulsa," Graham said. "To be able to return to a program that you helped to rebuild, and now have the chance to take it to an even higher level, is exciting."
