UAB announces five-year contract extension for Bill Clark

When UAB returns to the football field in 2017, Bill Clark will be the Blazers’ head coach.

The school announced Tuesday that it reached an agreement on a five-year contract extension with Clark. According to Al.com, the deal “officially began June 1,” meaning Clark is signed through the 2019 season. Clark will reportedly earn between $600,000 and $700,000 annually, plus the potential for incentive bonuses.

"The university looks forward to the next phase of UAB Football. We will continue raising philanthropic support needed for facilities and will move forward with our plan to play a complete FBS schedule as a full member of Conference USA in 2017," UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said in a statement. "I am as happy as our fans, alumni, donors and community that Bill Clark will continue to be our coach. This is another day of celebration for UAB, with many more to come."

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Clark joined the program prior to the 2014 season, led the team to a 6-6 record and was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year for his efforts. After the season, however, the school made the decision to drop the program. Six months later, following a private fundraising effort, the program was restored in June.

In July, UAB announced that it plans to return to the field as a full Conference USA member in 2017. His previous contract was set to expire in 2016.

"My family and I want to thank UAB, Mark Ingram, Dr. Ray Watts and the Board of Trustees for their commitment to me as UAB's head football coach. We are doing this and doing it right – today's announcement sends that message loud and clear,” Clark said.

"To all UAB supporters and family, thank you. I appreciate each and every one of you, what you've done, and continue to do, to support our program and I am proud to be your coach. We need you now more than ever to help write the next chapter of UAB football. For my part, I am matching my previous gift and paying it immediately."

Before his time at UAB, Clark was the defensive coordinator at South Alabama and the head coach at Jacksonville State, his alma mater. He also spent 17 years as a coach at the high school level, including eight as a head coach.

For more UAB news, visit BlazerSportsReport.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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