Muschamp earns contract extension

GAINESVILLE — The Florida Gators entered the 2012 season with plenty of questions following a 7-6 season under first-year coach Will Muschamp.

But ADJeremyFoley did not have any questions about the direction of the program and gave Muschamp a oneyear contract extension through the 2017 season.

Muschamp responded by delivering an11-1 season and a spot in a BCS bowl game.

“[UF president Bernie] Machen and I believed in the leadership and direction of the football program this summer and we made a decision to extend Coach Muschamp’s contract an additional year this past August, prior to the start of the season,” Foley said in a statement UF provided to the Orlando Sentinel. “Thefinancial terms are unchanged, but he is now under contract for the University of Florida through the 2017 season.”

Muschamp’s original deal kept him at Florida through 2015, but the school exercised a one-year option in January. The extension gives him another year.

Muschamp will continue him to make a salary of $2.7 million. The 41-year-old coach also will receive a $100,000 bonus for beating Florida State and making a BCS bowl.

Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is among five finalists for the Broyles Award, honoring the nation’s top assistant college football coach. Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, Texas A&M offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason join Quinn as finalists.