Billy Kennedy agrees to new 5-year deal with Texas A&M

"I am extremely appreciative of the support and confidence that Texas A&M has demonstrated to me and to our staff," Kennedy said in a statement. "This has been a team effort, and I am blessed to be coaching such a fine group of young men at an outstanding university. We still have a lot of work left to do this season, and I look forward to leading the Aggies for many years."

Kennedy, the 2016 SEC Coach of the Year, is 97-68 in five seasons at Texas A&M and 308-247 in 18 overall seasons as head coach. The top-seeded Aggies (26-7) defeated No. 4 LSU 71-38 in the semifinals of the SEC tournament Saturday.

"I love Texas A&M," Kennedy said in the postgame news conference. "It's been a journey and I'm proud of these guys and thankful to get the opportunity to keep coaching for a long time. That's about it."

Billy Kennedy is 96-68 in his five seasons at Texas A&M and 307-247 in 18 overall seasons as head coach. Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire

This season Kennedy led the Aggies to their first regular-season conference championship since 1986. The program's 24 regular-season victories this season under Kennedy's leadership mark the program's second-highest win total prior to postseason play

"This new contract and commitment is well-deserved and well-earned by Billy, who is a great ambassador for Texas A&M and who embodies our values," Texas A&M athletic director Scott Woodward said in a news release. "He has led our team to Texas A&M's first conference championship in 30 years, with an NCAA tournament invitation likely to come on Sunday. Our program is also achieving success in the classroom and in the community. We hope that Billy is leading our program for a long time to come.