It doesn’t look like Tracy Claeys is going anywhere.

The Minnesota coach, despite suffering a tough loss in the regular-season finale, appears to be in for an extension. According to Joe Christensen, Claeys is going to be back in 2017 and possibly beyond:

Claeys is under contract through the 2018 season. he signed a three-year deal worth $4.5 million last November.  That deal wasn’t even negotiated through an agent.

Minnesota clinched its third eight-win season in its last four years, which hasn’t been done in the Twin Cities since the Gophers joined the B1G in 1953. Since he took over for Jerry Kill in the middle of the 2015 season, Claeys is 10-8. He also led Minnesota to its first bowl victory in 11 years.

With a facilities upgrade and B1G TV revenue expected to be in the $50 million range annually in the next few years, Claeys could be in for a significant raise.

After that was reported, Claeys got a vote of support from Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle.

“Now that our regular season is complete, Tracy and I have begun to discuss this past season and the plan for our program moving forward. He is our head football coach. As is the case with every one of our head coaches, he has my full support. I will do whatever I can to help him and our students achieve at the highest levels.

Our football program has now won eight games in the regular season three times in four seasons. We expect that our program will continue to grow and I am committed to putting us in a position to do so. This includes working with Coach Claeys to evaluate where we need to improve and what each of us can do to ensure we meet our expectations.”

Coyle came to Minnesota from Syracuse over the summer. It was uncertain if Coyle, who wasn’t at Minnesota when Claeys lost his interim tag, would go in a different direction. Now it appears he’s putting his faith in Claeys.

The Gophers will likely have an official announcement in the coming weeks.