PITTSBURGH - The Steelers announced today they have reached an agreement on a multi-year contract extension with Head Coach BILL COWHER where he will be with the club for at least the next five years.

Terms of the three-year contract extension were not disclosed.

Just nine wins shy of 100 career victories entering his 10th season, Cowher has compiled a 91-64 overall record (.587) and an 86-58 record (.597) in the regular-season. He joined the legendary Paul Brown as the only coach in NFL history to lead a team to six consecutive trips to the playoffs in his first six seasons. At 44, Cowher is the fifth-youngest head coach in the NFL. He and Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green have the longest tenure among current NFL head coaches.

"This is a very exciting time for our organization, having Bill's contract extended and with the opening next month of our new stadium, Heinz Field," said Steelers president Dan Rooney. "He is a terrific person in addition to being an excellent football coach. We are happy Bill will be our coach for the next several years as we look forward to continuing the Steelers' tradition at Heinz Field."

"My family and I are very happy to continue our relationship with the Steelers and this special City," said Cowher." I want to thank Mr. Rooney and Art for everything they have done for us. We are excited to be a part of this organization and its bright future."

A Pittsburgh area native, raised in the western suburb of Crafton, Cowher was named the Steelers' head coach Jan. 21, 1992, becoming the youngest head coach in the NFL.

Cowher earned his 50th career coaching victory Nov. 3, 1996 in a 42-6 win against St. Louis, becoming the eighth-fastest coach to reach the 50-win mark. His 86 wins rank second behind only his predecessor Chuck Noll in Steelers' history.

Prior to his Steelers' appointment, Cowher served as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs for three seasons (1989-91). He began his coaching career in the Cleveland Browns organization as a special teams coach (1985-86) and secondary coach (1987-88).

Cowher enjoyed a five-year career as a standout special-teams player in the NFL before entering the college ranks. He earned his bachelor of science degree in education in 1979 from North Carolina State, where he was a three-year starting linebacker and a team captain.