Indiana extends contract of football coach Kevin Wilson

Published Jan. 11, 2016 7:16 p.m. ET

Marcus Hartman

Indiana announced Monday night a lucrative contract extension for football coach Kevin Wilson.

Set to run through the 2021 season, the new deal is worth $15.3 million, or $2.55 million annually.

In a statement announcing the deal, IU athletic director Fred Glass said the contract reflects a commitment to giving Wilson time to continue building the program he has put in place since taking over the Hoosiers in 2011.

"Kevin has done a great job building our program into one that is competitive with the great teams of the Big Ten and the nation," Glass said. "We are confident that he will continue to lead us to sustained success on the field and in the classroom."

Indiana finished 6-7 last season but made its first bowl game since 2007.

The Hoosiers are 20-41 in Wilson's five seasons in Bloomington.

"Coupled with an already solid foundation, this ensures stability as we continue to build a winning program in the Big Ten East, one of the great divisions in college football," Wilson said in a statement. "The administration has shown a total commitment to our program development, continuity, staffing, recruiting and facilities, and has invested heavily in the development of and experience for our students. We are excited for the opportunity and embrace the challenge ahead."

The Hoosiers have excelled on offense during Wilson's tenure but struggled defensively.

His offenses have produced three 1,000-yard rushers over the past two seasons, and offensive linemen Dan Feeney and Jason Spriggs were both named first-team All-Americans in 2015.

Quarterback Nate Sudfeld threw for 3,573 yards and 27 touchdowns with seven interceptions in 2015.

Under Wilson's watch, Indiana won the Old Oaken Bucket against Purdue three times in a row for the first time since the 1940s.

The Hoosiers led the Big Ten in total offense, scoring offense and passing offense in 2015, something not achieved since Ohio State did it in 1995, according to IU.