US EditionIllinois signs Bielema, Underwood to contract extensions
- Illinois signed six-year contract extensions with football coach Bret Bielema and men's basketball coach Brad Underwood on May 13, 2025.
- Illinois rewarded Bielema for improving its football program after nine losing seasons and Underwood for an eight-year basketball tenure that includes five NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Bielema’s deal runs through 2030 with a starting salary of $7.7 million, while Underwood’s extends through 2031 starting at $4.4 million, both eligible for bonus extensions and annual retention incentives.
- Bielema led Illinois to a 10-win season in 2024 highlighted by a Citrus Bowl victory, and Underwood has a 274-128 career record emphasizing a strong program foundation, according to their statements.
- These extensions indicate Illinois's commitment to stability and success in its major sports programs through the 2030-31 seasons, pending university board approval on May 22, 2025.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Illinois signs Bielema, Underwood to contract extensions
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) - Illinois Athletics announced major coaching news on Tuesday. The Illini have extended the contracts of both head football coach Bret Bielema and head men's basketball coach Brad Underwood. Both Illinois coaches are now inked with deals keeping them in Champaign through the 2030-31 academic/athletic year. Specifically, Bielema's deal goes through the end of the 2030 football season. Underwood's new contract goes through t…
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