TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona coach Mike Stoops won't have to answer questions about his future for much longer.

Fresh off its first bowl win in 10 years, Arizona plans to extend Stoops' contract by three years, through 2013.

"This is where we want to be," Stoops said as he settled into a McKale Center seat before the Arizona-Kansas men's basketball game on Tuesday night. "I'm really pleased with the commitment from the school. We're getting some stability here with our coaches and our program."

Details of the deal have yet to be worked out. It is subject to the approval of the Arizona Board of Regents.

"We're very pleased with the progress of Arizona football under Mike's direction," athletic director Jim Livengood said. "His personal growth as a coach has been outstanding and we're glad to continue moving forward with him as the steward for Arizona football."

The announcement comes as a relief to Stoops, a former Oklahoma defensive coordinator who had tired of hearing speculation about his job security in recent years.

"It was very demeaning to our program and to me and my family," said Stoops, who is paid about $800,000 per year. "It put a lot of stress, but until you clear those hurdles, it's going to be there.

"Now, hopefully, we don't have to listen to it any more," he said. "We've proven ourselves."

Stoops, who inherited a 2-10 team in 2003, is coming off the best season at Arizona. The Wildcats went 8-5 and defeated No. 17 Brigham Young 31-21 in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Stoops is 25-34 and has seven wins over Top 25 teams.

Stoops was greeted by a steady stream of well-wishers in the McKale grandstand, and a roar went up when his picture was flashed on the videoboard during a timeout.

Stoops is expecting a similarly enthusiastic reception on the recruiting trail, where he's made gains in recent years despite having to discuss his job security.

"Everybody's used that against us the last year or two," Stoops said. "It's kind of ugly."