Illinois has long locked in football and men's basketball coaches and agreed to sign a six-year contract with Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood.

Illinois rewarded Bielema for winning a tough football program for Bielema, and Underwood played an eight-year game that included five NCAA tournament appearances and trips to the Elite quarter-finals. Both deals were announced Tuesday.

advertise

Bielema's deal lasted until 2030, while Underwood was locked in the 2030-31 season. The contracts will be approved by the university board of directors on May 22.

Bielema's annual salary is $7.7 million, while Underwood's salary is $4.4 million. Both coaches are eligible for a four-year one-year extension if the performance benchmark is met, as well as annual retention incentives starting July 1 next year.

For Bielema, the retention incentive will start at $700,000, an increase of each year. For Underwood, they start at $1.15 million.

In four seasons at Champaign, Bielema led Illinois to a 28-22 record and 18-18 points in the Big Ten season. Illini matched the winning school record with a score of 10-3 in 2024. They beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl and became the fifth team of the program in 133 years, with a double-digit victory.

advertise

“Over the past four seasons, our program has built on strong, smart, reliable people in every way: from our players to our coaches and staff to our government,” Bielema said in a statement. “I’m lucky to be able to work with a sports director who fully trusts our football program and a coaching staff who fully trusts our players.”

Underwood praised his director of planning and athletics, Josh Whitman, the government and trustees for "alliance".

“The foundation creates the environment – ​​we have been able to succeed under our leadership with a talented group of assistant coaches and a dedicated staff member,” he said.

Bielema led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowls before a disappointing run in Arkansas, replacing the fired Lovie Smith after the 2020 season. At that time, he received a six-year contract with a salary of $4.2 million, returning to the top ten and his hometown.

advertise

Illinois had nine consecutive failed seasons before hiring Bielema. Illini scored 5-7 in his first year before winning eight games in 2022. They won last year's rebound 5-7 in 2023.

Illinois has won 10 games for the first time since 2001. Illini Illini was ranked first by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee for four consecutive weeks and has played 11 games at AP Poll, ranking 16th.

Underwood was 165-101 in overall Illinois, winning three league titles 92-66 in the Big Ten. He and Lou Henson are the only coach Illini to have five consecutive NCAA Championships. Illinois is also expected to cancel the 2020 Championship in the 19020 game.

Illini won 22 games last season as he lost five starters and ranked in the top 8 from the team that entered the elite eight points in 2024.

Underwood has been head coaching for 274-128 in 12 seasons, including Stephen F.

___

AP College Football: