Dec. 3, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford head football coach Bill Gray, who was named coach of the year in the Ohio Valley Conference during the Bulldogs' inaugural season in the league, was given a contract extension through the 2008 season, director of athletics Bob Roller announced today.

"I am excited and very appreciative for Samford to extend my tenure as the head football coach until 2008," Gray said. "It is a reflection on what our players and coaches have accomplished over the past few years. I am very thankful that Dr. (Thomas) Corts (Samford President) and Bob Roller have the confidence in me and my abilities as a head coach.

"Samford University is a great institution which represents all the values that my family believes in. I am very honored that I will be able to coach at Samford University for a long time," Gray said.

Gray led Samford to a 7-4 record and a third-place finish in the OVC, including a 4-1 record on the road, in a season where the Bulldogs had been predicted to finish eighth in the nine-member football conference.

"Bill combines all the qualities that it takes to be a successful leader at Samford and we're pleased to announce this extension," Roller said. "He and his staff have worked extremely hard to prepare us for the move to the Ohio Valley Conference, and our entire university community took pride in the way the Bulldogs performed this season."

En route to the 7-4 record, Samford enjoyed two of the three largest crowds in Seibert Stadium history, with the Homecoming game against Tennessee State drawing a crowd of 10,360, while 10,780 fans witnessed the Bulldogs' game against Jacksonville State.