Beamer gets contract extension through 2018

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Virginia Tech has given football coach Frank Beamer a two-year contract extension.

Athletic director Whit Babcock announced the extension on Wednesday, which will keep the winningest active coach at the Division I level on the Hokies' sideline through Jan. 1, 2019. Financial terms were not released.

Babcock says the extension is a reward for Beamer's 27 years at his alma mater. Babcock was hired seven months ago and says that Beamer's integrity and work ethic ''is even better than advertised.''

Beamer has a record of 266-132-4, including 224-109-2 with the Hokies. He has guided Virginia Tech to bowl games in each of the past 21 seasons, seven conference championships and six BCS bowl appearances.

The football program also achieved a 977 Academic Progress Rate score this year, its highest ever.