Hickory, N.C. ? Lenoir-Rhyne University has extended its relationship with Head Football Coach Mike Houston as the two parties have agreed with a contract extension through the 2016 season.

?This guaranteed contract gives Coach (Mike) Houston and Lenoir-Rhyne a sense of stability,? said Neill McGeachy, Lenoir-Rhyne Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.? ?With this action today, L-R has put itself in position for continued success.?

?I want to thank Lenoir-Rhyne President Dr. Wayne Powell and Athletic Director Neill McGeachy for their continued support of myself and our football program,? said Houston.? ?I look forward to working together with them and our staff for continued success on and off the field.?

Houston just finished his second season with Lenoir-Rhyne in 2012 and has a 16-6 record as Bear mentor.

Houston has guided Lenoir-Rhyne to back-to-back South Atlantic Conference Championships in both seasons with the Bears and was twice named league coach of the year for his efforts.

In addition, Houston led L-R to its first playoff berth in 50 years this past fall and the team?s first postseason victory since 1962 with its 21-6 triumph over Fort Valley State in the First Round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs in November.

This year, the Bears finished with a 9-3 overall record including a 6-1 mark in South Atlantic Conference play and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling to Carson-Newman. The Bears also finished the year?ranked No. 20 in NCAA Division II.

Houston, a 1994 graduate of Mars Hill College, was Lenoir-Rhyne?s Defensive Coordinator for four seasons (2007-10) under former coach Fred Goldsmith before being elevated to head coach?in the spring of 2011.? Houston was also L-R?s Assistant Head Football Coach in 2010.

Lenoir-Rhyne opens the 2013 season on Saturday, September 7, against Concord at home.? Kickoff at Moretz Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.