UW Athletic Board approves coaches' contracts

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The University of Wisconsin Athletic Board has approved updated contracts for football coach Bret Bielema and four other head coaches.

Bielema's five-year contract was extended through Jan. 31, 2017. Bielema led the Badgers to their first back-to-back Rose Bowls in a dozen years.

Three-year contracts for woman's soccer coach Paula Wilkins and men's soccer coach John Trask were established through Jan. 31, 2015.

Volleyball coach Pete Waite's three-year contract was extended through Jan. 31, 2015, and men's' cross-country coach Mick Byrne's three-year contract was extended through June 30, 2015.

The athletic board met Friday and approved recommendations of the UW Department of Athletics.