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 the 2030-31 basketball season.

“I am grateful to Brad and Susan for their commitment to the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball,” Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman said in a statement from Illinois Athletics. “Since Brad’s arrival, he has rebuilt our proud program and reestablished Illinois as a perennial contender for the Big Ten championship and a regular presence in the NCAA Tournament. Against the backdrop of intense change transforming college athletics, he holds steadfast to his core values while continuing to evolve and adapt his program to compete at the highest level. Brad has become a trusted friend, and I look forward to partnering with him to realize the full potential of our men’s basketball program in the years ahead.”

It’s a three-year extension for Underwood from his previous contract with the opportunity to earn up to four one-year extensions upon meeting certain performance benchmarks.

Underwood’s annual salary would start at $4.4 million. He could be eligible for annual retention incentives on July 1 of each year, starting with $1.15 million on July 1, 2026, and growing each year after.

“I want to thank Bret for his exceptional leadership and bold vision for the future of Fighting Illini Football,” Whitman said of Bielema in a statement from Illinois Athletics. “I am grateful to Bret and Jen for their trust in our program and their long-term commitment to the University of Illinois. Under Bret’s guidance, our program has gained national relevance and is steadily rewriting the Illinois record books. As a former player, it is a privilege to partner with him to develop and execute a plan aimed at achieving sustained success. The future of our program has never been brighter. I value Bret’s friendship and look forward to accelerating our upward trajectory in the years to come.”

The new deal makes Bielema’s contract two years longer than his previous deal. It also includes a chance to earn up to four one-year extensions based on performance.

Bielema’s annual salary begins at $7.7 million.

U of I says both contracts comes with, “meaningful protections for the University against [their] departure to pursue other coaching opportunities.”

The University’s Board of Trustees will consider both extensions for approval at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025.