Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, December 23, 2011

Purdue announced that coach Danny Hope has been given a two-year contract extension, pushing his deal through Dec. 31, 2016. Hope?s deal had three years remaining on it.

'Returning to postseason play is something we thought would happen last year, but the unbelievable and unprecedented number of injuries set us back,? Purdue A.D. Morgan Burke said in a release. 'The 2011 team fought its way back to the bowl scene by winning two of its final three games.?

The extension isn?t a shock, as Burke publicly supported Hope earlier this month and indicated he was inclined to add years to Hope?s deal. Now, with five years on his contract, Hope can show recruits he has the support of the school as he continues to put his stamp on the program since taking over for Joe Tiller in 2009. Hope is finishing his third season as head coach. He has 6-6 Purdue in a bowl for the first time since 2007, as the Boilermakers will play Western Michigan in the Little Caesar?s Bowl on December 27. Hope has a 15-21 overall mark (10-14 Big Ten).

Read more at PurdueSports.com.