CEDAR FALLS – The Northern Iowa wrestling team will be in Doug Schwab’s capable hands for the next seven seasons.

Panthers athletic director Troy Dannen tweeted Friday morning that Schwab had signed a new seven-year deal to remain the head wrestling coach through the 2020-21 season.

“I’m excited for the future of Panther wrestling, and I’m appreciative of the support from our administration, alumni and fans,” Schwab said in a release. “Along with my staff, I look forward to continuing to build on the foundation we’ve established at UNI.”

Under the new contract, Schwab will earn $115,000 a year with a $100,000 buyout clause should he leave for another job.

“Looks like you know where to find me the next 7 years, in the West Gym leading the Panther Train,” Schwab tweeted Friday. “Excited and blessed for the opportunity.”

The Osage native is the ninth coach in program history, having come to UNI after serving as an assistant at the University of Iowa for four seasons and at Virginia Tech for two years. He was a three-time All-American and a Big Ten Conference champion wrestler at Iowa, winning an NCAA title at 141 pounds in 1999.

This past winter, Northern Iowa was the only NCAA Division I wrestling team to finish the dual season undefeated (13-0). All four home meets inside the West Gym were sellouts.

The Panthers went on to finish 15th in the national tournament behind three All-Americans: Joe Colon, Dylan Peters and Joey Lazor.

“Doug has done a tremendous job with our wrestling program and is very much deserving of the new contract,” Dannen said in the release. “We look forward to our wrestling program’s further achievements under his leadership.”

Northern Iowa placed second to Missouri in the Mid-American Conference and was ranked as high as fifth nationally last season.