St George Illawarra have handed coach Steve Price a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the helm of the Dragons through to the end of the 2015 NRL season.

Having failed in an audacious bid to snare premiership-winning mentor Craig Bellamy from Melbourne, the Dragons opted to stick with the status quo for 2014, with the option for a further season in 2015.

Price, who took over from super coach Wayne Bennett in 2012, was under immense pressure to hold onto his job just a month ago after the Dragons opened the season with three straight losses.

But three wins on the trot have obviously convinced the Dragons hierarchy of the value of persisting with the 34-year-old, who was off contract at the end of the season.

“Our contractual situation enabled us to explore options which we have been doing and the board has resolved to offer an extension to Steve Price,” Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said in a statement.

“The board have taken a very close interest in Steve’s continued development as an NRL coach since he was extended the opportunity to be head coach of the Dragons in 2011 and we believe that he is to be respected for his contributions and disposition towards the Dragons, through testing times.”

Price was delighted to be continuing his coaching career with the Dragons.

“I have been at the Dragons as a coach since 2002 and love everything about it, the history and tradition and all the people associated with the club,” said Price.

“I feel very proud to be able to continue my association and am thankful to the Dragons board for giving me the opportunity and I am excited about the future.”