Illinois and men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood have agreed to new contract terms, the Illini athletic department announced Thursday.
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Underwood’s current six-year contract through June 2032 could be extended through June 2036 based on team performance. Illinois said the new contract, which is pending board approval, would make Underwood one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.
The reworked contract comes on the heels of Illinois making the Final Four for the first time in 21 years. Underwood has led the Illini to six straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and they were 21-10 when the 2020 tournament was canceled because of COVID-19. They reached the Elite Eight in 2024.
Illinois has gone 96-44 in the Big Ten over the last seven seasons. The 96 wins and 42 road wins are the most in the conference in that span. The Illini have one Big Ten regular-season title and two conference tournament titles in that span.
“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 while rewriting much of our record book,” athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement. “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. Brad’s ‘Every Day Guy’ mentality is emblematic of our university and broader community, and it is an honor to continue partnering with him on this journey.”
Illinois will look to build on its success next season despite the departures of starting guards Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell to the NBA draft.
Illinois retained key players David Mirković, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić and Jake Davis, signed guard Stefan Vaaks out of the transfer portal and is bringing in a highly rated freshman class. Wing Andrej Stojaković is going through the draft process but potentially could return for another season.
Underwood said in a statement that he is “more motivated than ever” to bring a national championship to Illinois.
“This new contract reflects the hard work and achievements of our players, coaches and staff, as well as the incredibly loyal fans and donors who support us,” Underwood said. “Illinois is a special place, and we’re coming off a special year with a trip to the Final Four. But we know there is still more to achieve. Our focus remains competing at the highest level in pursuit of a national championship.”