Newark, DE -- (Sports Network) - The University of Delaware has extended the contract of head football coach K.C. Keeler for 10 years through the 2017 season.

Keeler has spent the past six seasons at his alma mater, guiding the Blue Hens to a record of 52-26 with an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title in 2003 and a runner-up finish in 2007.

"K.C. is one of the nation's finest young coaches and we are pleased to be able to reward him with a contract that will keep him on the sidelines with the Blue Hens for many years to come," said Delaware athletic director Edgar Johnson. "He has continued the winning tradition of University of Delaware football and kept the Blue Hens among the elite, not only in the Colonial Athletic Association, but nationally. We are excited to see what the next decade will bring through his leadership of our football program."

A 1980 graduate of Delaware and a starting linebacker for the 1979 Division II champs under Tubby Raymond, Keeler also built a national Division III power at Rowan University before taking over for Raymond at Delaware.

Keeler led Rowan to the Division III title game five times in nine seasons, and his 15-year coaching record stands at 140-47-1. His teams have won 10 or more games nine times and his NCAA playoff record is 29-9.

The Blue Hens were 8-3 during the regular season in 2007, then beat Delaware State, top-seeded Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois to advance to the FCS Championship Game. Appalachian State ended Delaware's ride with a 49-21 victory in the title contest.