HOUSTON -- Rice football coach David Bailiff, who led the Owls to their first bowl victory in 54 years, said Friday he has agreed in principle to a new five-year contract.
"It lets the recruits know we are going to be here and Rice is committed to our football program," Bailiff told Houston television station KRIV, which first reported the deal. Calls to Rice athletic officials by The Associated Press weren't immediately returned Friday.
The Owls (10-3) beat Western Michigan 38-14 in the Texas Bowl in Bailiff's second season as head coach. They went 3-9 in his first season.
Bailiff previously coached at Texas State, where he went 21-15 in three seasons. He was hired by Rice to replace Todd Graham, who left after only one season to become coach at Tulsa.