Melbourne Renegades coach Simon Helmot has earnt a contract extension until the end of the 2014-15 cricket season.

The Victorian state assistant coach guided the Renegades to the semi-finals of the 2012-13 Big Bash League (BBL), where they lost to Brisbane.

It was a major turnaround from the inaugural BBL, where they were second-last, and he will stay in charge for the next two BBL seasons.

“Simon played a key role in rebuilding our playing list after the disappointment of BBL01, guiding the recruitment of new players before sealing the BBL02 minor premiership and our first semi-final appearance,” said Renegades chief executive Stuart Coventry.

“There is a lot more we want to achieve as a team and Simon is the best man to help us go that extra step.”

Helmot said it was an honour to be reappointed, but said the pain from the semi-final loss lingered.

“To win more games than the eventual BBL champion and not feature in the final was gut wrenching,” Helmot said.

“It’s a tight-knit group and we all share that pain.”