Football Southern Conference

VMI's Cal McCombs Signs Contract Extension

LEXINGTON, VA - VMI head football coach Cal McCombs has agreed to terms on a
three-year contract extension, VMI athletic director Donny White announced
Thursday.

"We are very fortunate to have Cal McCombs as our football coach," said
White. "Cal and his outstanding coaching staff have made real strides in
building a successful football program. But the best thing about Cal McCombs
is that he loves VMI, and he is dedicated to helping his players not only be
successful at VMI, but in life."

McCombs original five-year contract was set to expire in March, 2004. The
new deal will extend to May 31, 2007. The terms call for an annual base
salary of $96,000 plus housing benefits.

McCombs, in his fourth season as head coach, led the Keydets to a 6-6 mark
in 2002, the program's most wins since 1981. VMI also won three Southern
Conference games, the most since 1995, and won three straight games in the
month of October for the first time in 21 years. The Keydets also snapped a
string of 20 consecutive losing seasons dating back to 1982.

McCombs led VMI to its first win over a ranked opponent since 1995 when the
Keydets defeated Wofford last year.

McCombs last November became the third VMI coach to be named Southern
Conference coach of the year when the league coaches tabbed him with that
honor. John McKenna earned the award in 1957, 1959, and 1962, and Bob
Thalman was named in 1974 and 1981. McCombs was also honored as the state
coach of the year by the Richmond Touchdown club in January.

On Tuesday, McCombs received the Nathaniel W. Pendleton '22 Distinguished
Coaching Award at a convocation held at Cameron Hall. The honor recognizes a
VMI coach for excellence over the recent school year.


"I'm excited about this because I feel this gives our program the stability
we've so badly needed in our football program," said McCombs. "I like the
progress we've made so far and we're looking forward to making more over the
next four years."


McCombs will guide the Keydets into their first season of Big South
Conference competition this fall after the school competed for 78 years in
the Southern Conference. VMI opens the 2003 slate at Navy August 30.