BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — University at Buffalo football coach Jeff Quinn has agreed in principal to a five-year contract extension that locks him up through 2017.

The deal was announced Wednesday, two days before the Bulls (4-7, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) close their season at Bowling Green. Buffalo has shown improvement in its third season under Quinn, after going a combined 5-19 the previous two years.

The Bulls have won three straight for the first time since winning five in a row since 2008, when they won the conference championship.

First-year athletic director Danny White credited Quinn for having the foundation in place for a breakout season next year. Buffalo is set to return 17 starters.

Quinn succeeded Turner Gill. He previously served as a longtime assistant under current Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.