Kingston, RI -- Rhode Island announced Thursday that head football coach Tim Stowers has been given a contract extension that will keep him with the school through 2008.

In addition, there is a clause built in that provides an automatic annual one- year extension unless Stowers is told that the option will not be renewed.

"President (Robert) Carothers and I believe Tim is the proper person to continue to direct our football program," said director of athletics Tom McElroy. "We are happy to acknowledge Tim's hard work and dedication with this extension."

Stowers, who has been the head coach since 2000, took over a team that had just one winning record in the previous nine seasons and posted a 24-63 record over that span. After finishing his first campaign with a 3-8 mark, the Rams went 8-3 in the 2001 season and at one point were ranked as high as fourth in the Division I-AA rankings. His lifetime record of 22-35 in his five seasons.

Rhode Island enters the October 8 game against Towson with a 3-2 record.