 The contract, which extends through the 2015 season, was taken into effect on January 1, 2009.Gundy's tenure as head coach of the Cowboys has seen the rise and expansion of not only his football program, but the football facilities as well.The Cowboys began the 2009 season ranked #9 in the country in the AP Top 25, but the dreams of a miracle season were crushed when the Pokes lost 45–35 to the unranked Houston Cougars at home the following week, and later finding out that star wide receiver Dez Bryant was ruled ineligible for the remainder of the season, for lying to the NCAA about having contact with 8-time pro bowler Deion Sanders, which wasn't an NCAA violation in the first place.