DeBerry gets 5-year extension

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) — Air Force football coach Fisher DeBerry agreed to a five-year contract extension Thursday.

DeBerry, in his 21st season at Air Force, has a 156-89-1 career record and has been at the academy longer than any other coach.

"Fisher is one of the nation's best coaches, and we have now secured the future of Falcon football for the next five years," athletic director Hans Mueh said in a statement.

The 66-year-old DeBerry led the Falcons to a 12-1 record and a top-five ranking in 1985, when he was named national coach of the year. His teams have had 17 winning seasons and 12 bowl appearances.

"I'm very flattered and humbled to be offered an extension to my contract," DeBerry said in a statement. "This speaks well to the job our coaches and players have done."

The contract extension comes as running back Matthew Ward, who has been suspended from the team, faces a court-martial for wrongful use and possession of the steroid methandrostenolone. He pleaded innocent earlier this week.

Linebacker Overton Spence was acquitted on a charge of wrongful use of the same type of steroid on Sept. 1, after testifying he did not know the steroid was illegal. He was reinstated to the team Monday.