Johnson's contract extended at Tulane

Dec 7, 2013 - 11:53 PM New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Tulane rewarded head football coach Curtis Johnson with a three-year contract extension Saturday after leading the program to its first bowl bid in 11 years.

The Green Wave went 7-5 overall and 5-3 in Conference USA in Johnson's second season at the helm, earning a berth in the Dec. 21 New Orleans Bowl opposite Louisiana. It was Tulane's first winning campaign since 2002, when the school went 8-5 and captured the inaugural Hawaii Bowl.

Johnson, who spent six years as the wide receivers coach for the NFL's Saints prior to coming to Tulane, is now under contract through 2020.

"I'm very pleased to announce an extension through 2020 for Coach Johnson," said Tulane athletics director Rick Dickson. "He and his staff have quickly established a winning culture within the Tulane cornerstones of excellence in scholarship, sport and service. We look forward to working together through this new era for Tulane football, as we go forward into our bowl game, our new conference our and new stadium."

The Green Wave went 2-10 in Johnson's first year prior to becoming one of the most improved teams in FBS this season. Tulane's five conference wins in 2013 were also the school's most since 1998.