Raise, contract extension proposed for Thomas

By Daily Illini Staff Report

A proposal for a raise and contract extension for athletic director Mike Thomas will go in front of the Board of Trustees at its meeting on Jan. 23, campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler said.

The proposal will be considered by the trustees after a board committee meeting Thursday. If passed, this proposal would raise Thomas’ salary to $554,320, Kaler said, which is an increase from his current salary of $503,928, and extend his contract by two years. 

Thomas was hired in August 2011 and previously served in the same position at Cincinnati and Akron.

In his time at Illinois, Thomas has hired football coach Tim Beckman, men’s basketball coach John Groce and women’s basketball coach Matt Bollant. He is overseeing the $160 million renovation of the State Farm Center, boosted by a $60 million naming rights deal with the insurance company.