The University at Buffalo and football head coach Pete Lembo have agreed on a one-year contract extension, Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt announced. The extension will keep Lembo on the UB sidelines through the 2029 season.

"Pete Lembo exceeded expectations as our head football coach during his first year at UB," Alnutt said. "He has definitely earned and deserves a contract extension. He has instilled an unbelievable culture in our program that resulted in a very successful year both on and off the field. In addition to his extension, I recognize the work that his coaching staff has done to contribute to this success and have provided Pete additional resources to assist him with retaining and recruiting critical members of his staff. An incredible foundation has been built under Pete's leadership and I look forward to continued success as we as a University community work together to build this program as one of the top programs in the Group of Five."

Lembo had the most successful debut season of any head coach in UB Football history in 2024 when he led the Bulls to a 9-4 overall record and 6-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play. The nine wins tied for the second most in school history and were the most by a first-year head coach at UB.

He led Buffalo to its fourth bowl win in program history, defeating Liberty, 26-7, in the Bahamas Bowl. It capped a stellar finish to the season that saw the Bulls win their final five games of the year for the first time since 1959.

UB's six-win improvement from 2023 tied for the fourth best turnaround in the nation.

The signature win for the Bulls in 2024 was a 23-20 overtime victory over 23rd-ranked Northern Illinois. It was Buffalo's second ever win over a nationally ranked team. In addition, the Bulls defeated Toledo, 30-15, en route to winning six MAC games, the second most in program history.

Buffalo had 10 players named All-MAC, including 2024 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Shaun Dolac. The standout linebacker was also UB football's first ever Consensus All-American.

Under Lembo, the Bulls had their best semester in the classroom. The team's combined 3.18 grade point average was the highest in program history.

"Our assistant coaches have done an outstanding job building strong relationships with our players and preparing them for success on the field as well as in the classroom," Lembo said. "We have also benefited from an excellent strength and conditioning program thanks to Ryan Horton's vision and leadership."