Courtesy: Jeff Harwell-Zips Sports Photography J.D. Brookhart is now under contract through the 2010 season.

AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron head football coach J.D. Brookhart has signed a new five-year contract, director of athletics Mack Rhoades announced Wednesday.

Brookhart, who led the Zips to their first-ever conference title and first Division I-A bowl game in 2005, is now under contract through the 2010 football season. The third-year head coach originally signed a five-year deal when he was hired in December, 2003.

"We (the University) are thrilled to sign J.D. to a new five-year contract," Rhoades said. "J.D. has done a tremendous job leading our football program both on and off the field in his two-plus years as head coach. He has demonstrated great compassion for our student-athletes and their well being athletically, academically and socially.

"Likewise, he is a great teacher and manager of the game who assembled a first-class staff. I believe over time he will lead our football program to new levels of success, making the Akron and surrounding communities, as well as the University very proud. I am very happy for J.D. and his wonderful family (wife Jami, and sons Joseph, Jamison and John)."

Brookhart, 41, has had the Zips in contention in the Mid-American Conference East Division race in each of his three seasons. They were within a game of reaching their first-ever MAC Championship game in 2004 before losing to Miami on the final day of the regular season.

They broke through in 2005. Last season's 35-3 win over Kent State on Thanksgiving Day captured the MAC East title and clinched a berth in the league championship game in Detroit, which the Zips won in thrilling fashion on Domenik Hixon's last-second touchdown reception from Luke Getsy (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley/Pittsburgh).

That win secured a berth in the Motor City Bowl. The Zips lost that game to Memphis, 38-31, but they nearly pulled off another come-from-behind win, racing back from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit.

"I'm thrilled that Mack and Dr. Proenza have made this commitment to our program," Brookhart said. "Our staff and families have thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Akron community, and we are looking forward to even bigger and better things in the future. There is great chance for success (at Akron) with the commitment made by the University administration."

A native of Pueblo, Colo., Brookhart spent the previous seven seasons (1997-03) as an assistant coach with the University of Pittsburgh, including the final three as offensive coordinator. He was also a coaching assistant with the Denver Broncos for two seasons (1995-96).

He has earned MAC Coach of the Year honors twice, from the league in 2004 and College Football News last season.

The Zips (4-5, 2-3) remain alive for the MAC East title again this season. They face Buffalo (2-7, 1-5) Thursday at the Rubber Bowl (6 p.m.).