STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh’s long-awaited three-year contract extension is finally official.
The school announced a deal Sunday that keeps Harbaugh under contract through 2014. The two sides were close to announcing the extension last year, but put it on hold because of the economy.
Athletic director Bob Bowlsby confirmed the deal was done Saturday. But the official announcement was put on hold until after Saturday’s Heisman Trophy ceremony. Cardinal running back Toby Gerhart finished second to Alabama’s Mark Ingram.
Harbaugh is finishing his third season at Stanford. He guided the 19th-ranked Cardinal (8-4) to its first bowl bid in eight years. It will face Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
“I am proud and thankful that Stanford and Bob Bowlsby have entrusted me with the opportunity to represent this great university as its football coach,” Harbaugh said. “I am committed to the Stanford model of striving for academic and athletic excellence.”
Jayhawks make it official
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas hopes that Turner Gill can do for the Jayhawks what he did for Nebraska.
As a smooth option quarterback in the early 1980s, Gill was the difference-maker for the Cornhuskers, helping free them from Oklahoma’s long domination and propelling Tom Osborne’s program to the top of the Big Eight.
Later as an assistant coach, he helped develop a Heisman-winning quarterback and was a key member of the staff that led Nebraska to the 1994 national championship. Kansas made the hiring official Sunday and will formally introduce Gill as successor to Mark Mangino today.
Buffalo names interim coach
BUFFALO, N.Y. — University at Buffalo offensive coordinator Danny Barrett has been named the team’s interim head coach after Gill’s departure.
Athletic director Warde Manuel said he has begun a national search to replace Gill.
