Graphic by Charles Nailen/The Hoya /The Hoya Benson

Bob Benson, head coach of Georgetown’s football program, received a five-year contract extension through 2009, the university athletic department announced Wednesday.

Benson, who is the second winningest coach in program history, is 65-49 in 11 years as the Hoyas’ head man. Under Benson, the team twice captured the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title – first in 1998 and again the following year.

Benson joined the program in the same year that the team began play in the MAAC, the first Division I-AA stint in program history. ost recently, he has led the Hoyas into the Patriot League, though the team has yet to record a winning season in its three seasons of Patriot League play. Georgetown finished the 2003 campaign at 4-8 overall and 1-6 in the conference, tying with Holy Cross (1-11) for last place in the league.

Despite the trials of the past three years, Benson managed to schedule the team’s first Ivy League opponent in 66 years. Early in 2003, he also released schedules of opponents for every season through 2011, though most years still have two or three dates to be filled.

“I’m excited to continue our progression,” Benson said. “We’re on the verge of turning the corner.”

The coach has had 86 players receive All-Conference accolades in his 11 seasons. Off the field, he has been one of the strongest proponents for a new Multi-Sport Facility to improve university athletic programs and to add to Georgetown’s sense of community.

“It is great to have someone like Bob Benson . for another five years,” Athletic Director Joseph C. Lang said in a statement yesterday. “[He] is committed to the university and to the Georgetown football program.”

Also on Wednesday, the athletic department confirmed that Elliott Uzelac would serve as the Hoyas’ offensive coordinator in 2004. Uzelac, who has coordinator experience with four Division I-A programs including Ohio State, brings 31 years of experience to the Georgetown staff.

“[Uzelac] brings much-needed stability and experience to the program,” Benson said. “He will definitely make a mark. He already has in just a week.”

Uzelac left a head coaching position at St. John’s High School after two years, where he compiled a 10-9 record. He held the same position early in his career in the college coaching ranks, at Western Michigan from 1975 to 1981 and at Navy from 1987 to 1989.

Former offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead left the team at the end of last month. The University of Akron, a member of the Division I-A Mid-American Conference, hired him as quarterbacks coach. Moorhead served at Georgetown for four years, working with passers for three.

“Moorhead is a rising star. I’ve kept him hidden for long enough,” Benson said, also offering his blessing.