LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Tulsa football coach Steve Kragthorpe was named the new head coach of the University of Louisville Cardinals on Tuesday.

The official announcement came at a news conference Tuesday at at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium where Jurich introduced Kragthorpe as the Cardinals' new head football coach.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be here,” Kragthorpe told those gathered at the press conference. “I wish words could express it. To be honest, I feel like I’m in the middle of a great dream right now and I don’t want to wake up.”

The Associated Press reported Kragthorpe's contract will be a five-year deal worth $5.5 million.

Kragthorpe said that one of his first priorities was to get a coaching staff in order, as well as try to convince junior quarterback Brian Brohm to return for his senior season at Louisville.

"I'm not going just bring good football coaches in here, I'm going to bring good people," Kragthorpe said. "I want guys committed to doing things the right way, with character, integrity, and putting the player first."

The press conference followed a meeting by the Personnel Committee of the University of Louisville Athletic Association, Inc. Board of Directors to approve the new coaching hire.

The Tulsa World newspaper reported Tuesday that Kragthorpe met with University of Louisville Director of Athletics Tom Jurich late Monday and accepted the position.

Kragthorpe will replace Bobby Petrino, who left U of L to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcon’s of the National Football League.

In his four seasons at Tulsa, Kragthorpe led the Golden Hurricanes to a 29-22 mark and a Conference USA and Liberty Bowl championship in 2005.

Tulsa had won just two games on the two season prior to Kragthorpe’s arrival.

Tulsa finished 7-5 in 2006.

Kragthorpe and Jurich have worked together before.

In 1990, Kragthorpe became the quarterback coach at Northern Arizona and remained in that position until being elevated to offensive coordinator for the 1992 and 1993 seasons while Jurich was athletic director at NAU.