BOSTON — UConn’s head coach, Jim Mora, has secured a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the university until 2028, as announced just before the Huskies faced off against North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl.

Mora’s new deal is valued at $10.01 million, along with various performance incentives, covering the next four years. This announcement coincided with a victory over the Tar Heels, where the Huskies celebrated a 27-14 win, marking their first nine-win season since 2007. After the game, Mora expressed gratitude towards the university’s administration for their support while highlighting the achievements of his players, stating, “It’s about these guys and what they did today.”

Under Mora’s leadership, the Huskies have made significant strides, competing in their second bowl game within three seasons. Following a challenging 3-9 record the previous year, UConn has now achieved its first winning record since the 2010 season when they were led to the Fiesta Bowl by Randy Edsall. Since joining what is currently the Bowl Subdivision in 2000, this achievement marks just the third instance of the team reaching nine victories.

“In my initial discussions upon my arrival, I outlined our aspirations for this program,” Mora remarked in a statement issued just before the game began. “We have demonstrated notable progress, yet there remains much work ahead of us.”

The Huskies concluded the season with a record of 9-4, their first winning record in over a decade. As an independent team, UConn was successful in all its matchups against non-Power Four conferences, but struggled against major football programs leading up to the Fenway Bowl, losing all respective games. Looking forward, Mora emphasized the need for the team to begin securing victories against these stronger opponents.

Athletic director David Benedict commended Mora for his role in revitalizing the program, saying, “Three years ago, I assigned Jim Mora the task of steering our football team back to success, and through his experience, energy, and leadership, he has accomplished this challenge excellently. He has taken our program to postseason bowl appearances twice, guiding the team to what has become one of the most successful seasons in UConn football history, creating momentum for ongoing progress. I am eager to see him lead our football team in the years to come.”