HARRISONBURG, Va., Feb. 25, 2008 – James Madison University athletics director Jeff Bourne announced Monday that JMU football coach Mickey Matthews has signed a three-year extension of his current contract with the university.

Matthews has coached at JMU since 1999 and was under contract through the end of the 2009 season.  The new agreement extends his most-recent contract through the 2012 season.

"Our new agreement recognizes the many accomplishments and successes of the JMU football program under Coach Matthews' leadership," Bourne said.  "JMU competes at a high level in all aspects of football, and we believe the program is in an excellent position to continue to compete at a national championship level for years to come.  We're very pleased to extend our relationship with Coach Matthews and look forward to continuing to work with him to build on the outstanding football tradition that has been established at JMU."

"I'm glad the process is completed and look forward to competing for another national championship this fall," Matthews said.

Matthews has compiled a 64-44 (.593) record in nine years at JMU, and his teams have competed in NCAA post-season play during three of the last four seasons.  The Dukes won the 2004 national championship and also reached post-season play under Matthews during the 1999, 2006 and 2007 seasons.  JMU was 8-4 during the 2007 campaign and has a 37-13 record during the last four seasons.