After speculation he would use last season's FCS national championship to make a jump to FBS, Mike Houston is instead sticking around at James Madison.
The school on Tuesday announced a 10-year contract for Houston that lasts through 2027. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"James Madison is a special place. Amanda, our boys and I want to be here and consider this home," Houston said in a statement. "JMU approached me in in the second half of the regular season to discuss an extended contract. During negotiations, there was significant interest from multiple FBS programs. Throughout the process, JMU was proactive in wanting to make a long-term commitment while ensuring that our staff could remain intact. I've turned down opportunities at the FBS level, and I did it because I believe in James Madison University. I believe in the leadership of Jeff Bourne, Senior Vice President Charlie King and President Jonathan Alger. I believe in their vision for our university and our athletics programs. I also believe in our student-athletes, everyone in athletics who supports us and the passionate fan base that cheers for us. I am committed to ensuring that the JMU football program is one that is a reflection of our outstanding institution. I'm committed to staying here because JMU is different."
In his second season on the job, Houston is 26-1 as head coach of the Dukes. He led JMU to its second FCS national title in 2016 and has the club at 13-0 and in the FCS semifinals this season.
Top-seeded James Madison hosts No. 5 seed South Dakota State on Saturday (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU).
Houston, 46, compiled a 29-8 mark with a trip to the Division II title game while at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2011-13 and went 14-11 with one FCS playoffs trip at The Citadel in 2014-15.
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