CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Brad Underwood and the U of I have agreed to new contract terms that could extend his tenure through June 30, 2036, pending approval from the U of I Board of Trustees on May 21.
The head coach’s current contract runs through June 30, 2032. The amended agreement would allow the deal to extend four additional years based on team performance, and would also include updated financial terms that would place Underwood among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.
The announcement comes on the heels of the best NCAA Tournament run of Underwood’s nine-year tenure. Illinois won all four South Regional games by double figures, knocking out No. 2 seed Houston in the Regional Semifinal before rallying past Iowa to claim the regional championship and earn the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2005.
The Illini finished 28-9 overall and 15-5 in Big Ten play, with the 28 wins ranking fourth-most in school history.
“Thanks to Brad Underwood’s tireless leadership and relentless pursuit of championships, our men’s basketball program has established itself as one of the nation’s premier programs,” said Athletics Director Josh Whitman. “He has revitalized a proud fan base and elevated our program to new heights while competing in the most dynamic, high-stakes environment in college sports history.”
Underwood has joined Lou Henson as the only coaches in school history to lead Illinois to at least six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and has accumulated 10 NCAA Tournament wins over the last six years, second in program history behind Henson’s 12.
“Illinois is a special place, and we’re coming off a special year with a trip to the Final Four,” Underwood said. “Our focus remains competing at the highest level in pursuit of a national championship. I am more motivated than ever to help bring that title home.”
Illinois has also set record ticket revenues at State Farm Center each of the last five seasons, reaching an all-time high of more than $13.1 million this past year.
