Houston, Levine agree on new 5-year deal

May 21, 2014 - 3:37 AM Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The University of Houston and head football coach Tony Levine reached an agreement on a new five-year contract Tuesday.

The new pact will replace the old five-year deal Levine signed prior to the 2012 campaign.

"We are pleased Coach Levine has agreed to a new five-year agreement. Under Tony's leadership, our football program's on-field accolades and performances have continued the upward rise of our program while it has experienced some of its best academic achievements in program history," Houston VP for intercollegiate athletics Mack Rhoades said. "Likewise, Coach Levine's staff continues to recruit and sign outstanding young men and develop them into leaders, on the field and off. As a result, he has assembled a talented young team with a very bright future. As we continue to build our football program, it is important we maintain stability and show Coach Levine we appreciate all of his efforts."

Levine was named interim head coach when Kevin Sumlin left Houston for the same position at Texas A&M back in December 2011 and was elevated to the post full-time later that month. He made an immediate impression by guiding the Cougars to a 30-14 defeat of Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl to cap a 13-1 season.

Houston has gone 13-12 since then, including an 8-5 record as part of the inaugural American Athletic Conference slate and bowl loss to Vanderbilt in 2013.

"I am very humbled by the opportunity to lead the University of Houston football program. I'm also very appreciative of and thankful for the commitment shown by our University and its administration as we continue to grow and elevate our football program. I am very proud of our student-athletes and staff, and how they have represented our University both on and off the field," Levine said. "With our Tier One academic program and the new stadium, we have a very positive outlook for our program's long-term success. Houston is home for my family and me, and we look forward to many more years of making great memories here."