The New Orleans Saints have announced today that Head Coach Sean Payton and the team have agreed in principle to a multi-year contract extension.

"I am pleased that Sean Payton will be our head coach for a long time," said Saints Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson. "Now we can focus our attention on building on the winning tradition with the Saints that Sean has played such a large role in."

Since being hired by the Saints on January 18, 2006, Payton has presided over the most successful period in the franchise's history, leading the Saints to three NFC South titles and four postseason appearances, holding the club record among head coaches for division titles. Two of his teams have advanced to the NFC Championship and the 2009 squad captured Super Bowl XLIV.

Under Payton's watch, the Saints have set 21 team single-season records, seven of them also NFL marks, since the start of the 2006 season. During this time, the New Orleans offense has led the league in net yards per game four times, including an NFL-record 7,474 in 2011.  In addition, 13 players have been selected to the Pro Bowl during Payton's tenure, six on multiple occasions.