Skip Holtz has rebuilt East Carolina's football program in a short time, and the Pirates hope to keep their 44-year-old coach around for a long time.

ECU athletic director Terry Holland, in a release through the university's Sports Information Department, announced Tuesday that the coach has agreed to tentative terms of a proposed contract through 2013.

The release stated that the deal includes an adjusted incentive and bonus plan but that it must be approved by the East Carolina Board of Trustees before details are revealed.

Holtz, who has led ECU to back-to-back winning seasons and two straight bowl appearances, had a five-year, $4.35 million contract that was modified in 2006.

Earlier this month, Holland said "we want to take real good care of him" and explained that Holtz would earn about $1.2 million in 2008, including bonuses.

"The proposed agreement recognizes and rewards Coach Holtz for all he and his family have done for ECU athletics and the entire community," Holland said in Tuesday's statement. "It is our intention to encourage them to stay with us a long, long time."

It's no secret that other high-profile programs likely will still be courting Holtz, especially if the Pirates produce a third straight successful season.

Holtz could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but at East Carolina's football media day on August 2, he said "I love it" in Greenville and that his wife and children do as well.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Holtz noted his pleasure about the program's progress in three years and expressed gratitude for the "confidence and commitment" of ECU's administrative leadership.

Hired in 2005, Holtz inherited a team that had gone 3-20 the previous two seasons and went 5-6 his first season.

With a potent and entertaining offense, his next two ECU teams went 7-6 and 8-5, beat rivals N.C. State and North Carolina, and earned bowl berths.

The scintillating style and winning records rekindled enthusiasm among Pirates faithful, who flocked to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and set a school record for average home attendance (41,537) last season.

In discussing Holtz's contract several weeks ago, Holland cited how the charismatic coach's impact had increased the schools' overall athletic revenue streams and how he helped generate several hundred thousand dollars for charity in the community.

As for immediate football goals, Holtz is eager to win a Conference USA title, which was within the Pirates' reach the past two seasons.

Beating BCS opponents, beginning Saturday against Virginia Tech in Charlotte, is another major objective the ECU coach wants to meet.

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