DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It was announced Thursday morning that Bethune-Cookman University head football coach Brian Jenkins has signed an extension to stay at B-CU to lead the Wildcats Football program into the future.

Jenkins, recently completing his third year at the helm in Daytona Beach, has taken the Wildcats to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs in two of his three years (2010, '12) with the program. As the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year, he led the Wildcats to an MEAC title and the first undefeated conference season for the Maroon and Gold since 1984. This past season, the Wildcats went 9-3 (8-0 MEAC) and played host to Coastal Carolina in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach. It was the second MEAC title for the Cats under Jenkins - the fifth of its kind in school history - and they played host to an FCS Playoff competition for the third time in the past 10 years.

Since his arrival in Daytona Beach, Jenkins has compiled an overall record of 27-8, and an unprecedented 21-3 mark in league play. He has helped the Wildcats to two MEAC titles, two FCS Playoff appearances and been named the MEAC Coach of the Year twice.

 "This is a place where I come to work each day and know that I'm surrounded by family," said Jenkins. "I want to thank so many people, but most importantly our President - Dr. Edison O. Jackson, and Lynn Thompson, our Director of Athletics, for giving so much of their time and talents to make this contract extension happened. I learned so much about them, not only as administrators, but I spent time with them as men. That really helped me to make my decision staying at Bethune-Cookman that much easier."

Jenkins' name had been associated with a job of similar position at Southern University in Louisiana as recently as this week.

"Southern has a great tradition and that is a great university with a wonderful athletic director," commented Jenkins. "But after spending time with God, my family at home, my family at work, and just hearing from so many passionate fans of Bethune-Cookman University - I just knew staying in Daytona Beach at B-CU was the right decision for me and all involved. Our fans are the best."

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Jenkins was recently tabbed as the AFCA FCS Region Two Coach of the Year for the second time, as well as being named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award.

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.

-www.BCUathletics.com-