Illinois’ Division of Intercollegiate Athletics now has a new Deputy Director, Roger Denny. Director of Athletics, Josh Whitman, announced the appointment on June 26.
“I am excited to promote Roger into the role of Deputy Director of Athletics,” Whitman said in a statement. “Roger maintains a low profile, but he has quietly become an unsung hero of our department. Since Roger’s arrival, he has helped push our program to greater heights, particularly in his areas of administrative responsibility, with historic success in football, a steadied financial outlook, significant upgrades to our most notable facilities, especially Memorial Stadium, and long-term partnerships with our most prominent coaches.”
Denny has been a part of DIA since July 2021, working to improve Illinois Athletics. He began as executive senior associate director of athletics and CEO and helped the Illini be more competitive.
He then transitioned into a sports administrator position for Illinois’ football program. Denny has been a critical contributor in Illinois’ rise to national prominence in the sport. Working alongside Head Coach Bret Bielema, Denny and the team have brought glory to the Memorial Stadium.
The position of deputy director has been vacant since 2022. Denny now takes on the role of second-in-command to Whitman. He is also a licensed attorney who has been practicing law for 15 years. According to Whitman, this will help him contribute to the program in new ways.
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“Roger’s legal background, including expertise in executive compensation, tax, corporate finance, and licensing, make him uniquely qualified to help us take advantage of the disruption occurring across the collegiate athletics landscape,” said Whitman. “In this elevated role, he will continue to lead and as we face even more dynamic change in the coming years.”
Denny will also work with DIA’s various departments, such as the business office, facilities, data and business intelligence and sports technology. He has been key in implementing plans to upgrade the Memorial Stadium. Denny also works with public facilities such as the Atkins Tennis Center, Atkins Golf Club and the Armory.
He has already worked closely with top Illini head coaches. Denny negotiated recent contract extensions for Bielema, men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood and women’s basketball head coach Shauna Green.
Illinois will want Denny to continue the good work he has already done and take an already high-flying athletic program to greater heights.
