Illinois men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood will extend his contract through the 2026-2027 season, athletic director Josh Whitman announced on Thursday, pending the green light from the UI Board of Trustees at their Sept. 23 meeting.

Underwood’s extension would send his total annual compensation into the top 10 nationally, per a press release. The contract is fully guaranteed for the next four seasons, though it also includes bonus opportunities for advancement in the NCAA tournament and “other agreed-upon metrics.”

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be the head coach here at the University of Illinois,” Underwood said, per a press release. “The history, the players, and the passionate fan base are part of what makes this job so special. But another key that sets us apart is our leadership, and I am so fortunate to work with Josh Whitman. His passion for the University of Illinois and championship vision for our athletic department inspires everyone. His investment in resources to continually push our basketball program forward and his unyielding support makes this feel not like a job, but a partnership. As a relationship-driven person it has made the process so much more enjoyable and rewarding.

“I’m proud of our players and staff for what we’ve accomplished to date. But to be blunt, that’s over. We are in a hyper-competitive climate where anyone who rests on accomplishments gets left behind. So we have to keep pushing forward. Yet the foundation of our philosophy remains. We will work — in the classroom, in the community, and in the gym — with relentless effort. That is the process for producing Every Day Guys who will compete at a championship level. We are excited to work together to accomplish these lofty goals.”

Last season, Underwood took Illinois to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013 — and its first No. 1 seed in 16 years — and coached the team to a Big Ten tournament title for the first time since 2005. The Illini’s 29-11 record and .726 winning percentage in conference play over the last two seasons is the best in the Big Ten.

Underwood is 71-56 overall across his four season in Champaign, while he is 40-38 in conference play.

“It was just four years ago that we brought Coach Underwood here with the vision he and I shared of returning Illinois Basketball to national prominence, and he has delivered,” Whitman said, per a press release. “The ‘Every Day Guys’ culture he has developed defines our locker room and permeates every facet of the program. Coach’s tenants of hard work, accountability, toughness and team-first mindset are just a few of the principles he has instilled in our student-athletes. Coach, his staff and the players have relentlessly maintained their high expectations, and the results have followed, culminating with the most victories in the Big Ten Conference over the last two years, a 2021 Big Ten Tournament title, and an NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed.

“Those are significant achievements. And yet, knowing Brad as I do, he remains focused on the future, determined to elevate our program to new heights. He is as steadfast in his quest to build a championship program here at the University of Illinois as he was on March 18, 2017. I am grateful to Brad, Susan and their entire family for the commitment they have made to the University of Illinois. I am excited to continue working alongside him on this journey and look forward to his leadership over these next six years and beyond.”

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