TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa coach Todd Graham has agreed to a new 10-year contract that could keep him with the Golden Hurricane through the 2018 season.

"My wife and I and our coaches love being in Tulsa, and especially at one of the best times there is to be a Golden Hurricane — coming off back-to-back 10 win seasons," Graham said in a statement Thursday. "It speaks volumes about the university's commitment when they'll make this type of long-term commitment to my family, my staff and me. We're very appreciative and very excited about the Golden Hurricane football program.

"This makes a bold statement to our recruits and the football community that there is great stability in the University of Tulsa football program."

Terms of the contract were not disclosed by the private university.

Graham, who has coached Tulsa to its first back-to-back 10-win seasons in school history, agreed to the extension only two days after offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left Tulsa to take the same position at Auburn.

The Golden Hurricane (10-3) will face Ball State (12-1) in the GMAC Bowl on Tuesday.

"We want to win championships at The University of Tulsa, and in football we want to also compete for an opportunity to win a BCS bowl Game," athletic director Bubba Cunningham said. "Todd Graham is the coach who can continue to take the Tulsa football program to even higher levels than what he's already accomplished.

"This 10-year agreement obviously shows the strong belief that the university administration has in Todd, and it also shows Todd's commitment to maintaining a championship program."

Graham was Tulsa's defensive coordinator under Steve Kragthorpe for three seasons before his one season as Rice's head coach. He has led the Golden Hurricane to back-to-back Conference USA West titles, losing in the league title game both years.

He agreed to a six-year extension at Rice in January 2007, but was introduced as Tulsa's coach a mere three days later.

"There were a lot of mistruths about that deal," Graham told the Tulsa World, which reported the 10-year contract first on its Web site. "Having the opportunity to come home here was a no-brainer for me."

Cunningham told the newspaper that the contract contains a buyout clause.