Los Angeles, CA

Head football coach Jim Mora and UCLA have agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2017 season, quashing rumors that he would leave for another coaching gig with another school or the NFL.

The university did not release the terms of the deal, which will add to the original five-year, $12 million contract that Mora signed when he joined the Bruins before last season.

"First and foremost, I want to thank (athletic director) Dan Guerrero for his commitment to me and my staff, and our shared belief that we are on the road to creating something very special," Mora said in a statement.

"I believe UCLA will win championships. The 2012 team established a foundation which will launch us forward. Our staff, our returning players, our administration, and the entire Bruin community are pulling together in an effort to win championships," he added.

Before signing the extension, Mora was rumored to be courted by the San Diego Chargers to fill their head coaching void. Also, it was reported that several schools were interested in Mora's services.

In his first season with the Bruins, Mora led UCLA to a 9-5 record, the Pac-12 South title and UCLA's first victory over USC since 2006. The Bruins lost to Baylor in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, but certainly appeared to be a team on the rise after going 34-43 in the previous six seasons.

"What Jim Mora has accomplished in just one season as our head coach is remarkable," Guerrero said in a statement. "The wins, the Pac-12 South Championship, and the bowl berth were accompanied by an equally impressive performance by the team in the classroom and in the community."

Before moving to the college ranks, Mora spent the previous 25 years of his coaching career in the NFL, including head coaching stints with the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks.

"Jim and I will continue to work closely as partners to enhance all aspects of the program moving forward so that we may continue to compete at the highest level," Guerrero said. "We are thrilled with Jim's commitment to our student-athletes and to this university."

Aside from giving Mora a contract extension, the university is also negotiating salary increases for his assistants and working to upgrade football facilities, including an on-campus training site.

 

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