Memphis coach Justin Fuente has received a one-year extension through the 2017 season, the school announced Wednesday.

Fuente originally signed a five-year contract when he was hired in December 2011. The other terms of his contract remain the same.

"Justin Fuente has met or exceeded every expectation we had for him during his first ten months as the head coach for the Tiger football program,” athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement. "His program made impressive strides throughout the 2012 season and continues to be headed in the right direction. Now we, as a department, need to create a structure of support to work in unison with Coach Fuente and his program."

Fuente said in a statement: "I am appreciative of Dr. Shirley Raines and Tom Bowen’s commitment to help build this football program. As evident by the final month of the season, we have laid a solid foundation for the future. I have been told our student-athletes are working hard during our offseason conditioning program, and the coaching staff is looking forward to preparing our players this spring for what is ahead for Tiger football."

The Tigers won their last three conference games and finished 4-4 in Conference USA play, winning more league games than the past three seasons combined.

Memphis’ 4-8 overall record marked the team’s best finish since 2008. The Tigers begin Big East play in the fall.