Stanford, CA

For leading Stanford to an 11-2 record and a Rose Bowl appearance this season, football coach David Shaw has been rewarded with a long-term contract extension, details of which were not released by the university.

Shaw, who was in the second year of a four-year deal, was hired by the Cardinal on Jan. 13 when Jim Harbaugh left to coach the San Francisco 49ers. He was the Cardinal's offensive coordinator for four seasons before taking over as head coach.

"I feel blessed to work every day with an outstanding staff and coach the best group of young men in America, and I am excited to lead the Stanford Football program for many years to come," Shaw said in a statement.

"David Shaw has led the football program to great success," said Stanford president John Hennessy. "He embodies the goal we have for our scholar-athletes--success in the classroom and on the field. We are pleased that he will lead our football program for years to come."

"David has demonstrated great success as a leader within the Stanford community and as a mentor to scholar-athletes who wear the Cardinal uniform," said Director of Athletics Bernard Muir. "This agreement provides added stability and reassurance that David will be at the helm to secure our football program's long-term sustained success."

Under Shaw's leadership, the Cardinal has enjoyed unprecedented success.

Stanford is one of just four teams in the nation from BCS conferences to compile 34 or more wins over the last three seasons along with Oregon (35), LSU (34) and Alabama (34). The Cardinal's .872 winning percentage since 2010 is tied for third-best among FBS teams during that stretch.

Stanford's three straight 11-win seasons are unprecedented in school history. Stanford had never won 11 games prior to 2010 and had reached 10 wins only three times previously (1926, 1942 and 1992).

Copyright © 2012 AHN - All Rights Reserved