RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech announced Monday that it has signed Bulldog football coach Jack Bicknell to a two-year extension that will keep him on the sideline through 2008.

Bicknell, who was promoted to head coach following the 1998 season when Gary Crowton left to take the offensive coordinator job with the Chicago Bears, was about to begin the final year of his current contract.

?I appreciate the commitment that Dr. (Dan) Reneau and (athletic director) Jim (Oakes) have shown to me and my staff,? Bicknell said. ?I am excited about the direction of our program and look forward to the next three years at Louisiana Tech.?

Specific terms of the contract are not disclosed because it still must be approved by the University of Louisiana System Board of Directors at its upcoming meeting; however, the extension will continue to pay Bicknell his current base salary of $150,000.

During his seven years as the Bulldog Boss, Bicknell has recorded a mark of 40-42 while leading the program to some of its biggest wins including #18 Alabama (1999), Oklahoma State (2002), Michigan State (2003), #17 Fresno State (2004) and #21 Fresno State (2005).

Bicknell also led Tech to its first ever Associated Press Top 25 ranking in 1999 and the program?s first conference championship title since 1984 with the 2001 Western Athletic Conference title and a berth in the 2001 Humanitarian Bowl.

?We?re very pleased that we?ve been able to work out this extension which I believes gives our program stability,? Oakes said. ?We?re pleased with the direction of the program and look forward to our future success with Jack at the helm of Bulldog football.?

Bicknell is currently tied with Joe Raymond Peace for third place on the Tech career victories list, trailing only legendary Bulldog coaches Joe Aillet and Maxie Lambright.