SPRINGFIELD, MO. ? The winningest football coach in Gateway Football Conference history is staying at Southwest Missouri State University for two more years.

The university announced Friday a two-year contract extension for coach Randy Ball, despite the Bears’ 4-7 record this season. Overall, Ball is 24-31 as SMS coach, his only winning record coming in 2001 when his team finished 8-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

“We knew we did not have a winning record this year, but we still have confidence in coach Ball and in what he can do with our program,” said Bill Rowe, SMS athletics director. “We absolutely believe in our football program and want to please our fans.”

Before arriving in Springfield, Ball was head coach at Western Illinois for nine seasons, compiling a 64-41-1 record. His teams won conference championships in 1997 and 1998, his final two years at the school.

Overall, Ball’s record as a head coach is 88-72-1.