The winningest and longest-tenured coach in franchise history, Marvin Lewis signed a two-year contract extension Tuesday that will keep him on the Cincinnati Bengals sideline through 2014.

“I’m really happy to get the extension done with the excitement around what we’ve done with the team,” said Lewis, who has led the Bengals to the playoffs in two of the last three seasons.

Lewis is 69-77-1 in his nine years with the Bengals. He had been entering the final year of a two-year contract extension he signed in January 2011, just days after the team finished 4-12 on the heels of an AFC North title the previous season.

Calling the most recent negotiations with Bengals president Mike Brown a “complicated thing,” Lewis said it felt good to finally reach an agreement.

“I’m happy, pleased and flattered for the organization to offer the opportunity like this and to not leave it sitting there throughout the season,” Lewis said.

The players were not told of the extension prior to their 3 p.m. practice, but some of them found out from various Websites.

“I’m sure some of them still don’t know,” offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said after practice. “I’m really excited. You couldn’t be happier for a guy who does things the right way. We’ve been together now going on seven years, and I’m just excited he’s going to be here longer.”

Added defensive tackle DomataPeko, “I read about it earlier today that he got an extension and I was really happy for him. I was saying ‘thank god’ because he is a hell of a coach

“I’m excited for him,” Peko continued. “It means a lot to us players because he takes care of us and has changed the atmosphere over here for awhile.”

Since taking over in January 2003, Lewis has led the Bengals to divisional titles in 2005 and 2009 and a wildcard berth in 2011. The three playoff appearances tie him with team founder Paul Brown for most in franchise history.

Last week the team agreed to a three-year extension with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, and in January offensive coordinator Jay Gruden signed a three-year extension.

“Coming off a playoff finish last year, with a solid coaching staff and good young players, continuity at the top gives us our best to chance to win,” Mike Brown said.

“Let’s continue it, let’s go forward, let’s be better than we were – much, much better than we were – and continue and have that opportunity,” Lewis said. “We’re all excited about that, from the top down. There’s nobody in Cincinnati that wants to win more than that man upstairs (Mike Brown). And that’s my job to get him there.”