Illinois has locked in its long -term male soccer and basketball coaches, agreeing a six -year contract with Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood.
Illinois rewarded Bielema for going around his football program in difficulties, and Underwood for an eight -year race that includes five appearances in the NCAA tournament and a trip to the Eight elite. Both agreements were announced on Tuesday.
The Bielema agreement extends until 2030, while Underwood is locked during the 2030-31 season. The contracts are pending approval of the University Board on May 22.
The annual Bielema salary would begin at $ 7.7 million, while Underwood would start at $ 4.4 million. Both coaches would be eligible for four extensions of one year if the performance points are, as well as annual retention incentives from July 1.
For Bielema, the retention incentives would begin at $ 700,000 and increase each year. For Underwood, they would start at $ 1.15 million.
In four seasons in Champaign, Bielema has taken Illinois to a 28-22 record and an 18-18 mark on Big Ten Play. The Illini coincided with a victorious school record in 2024 when they get used to 10-3. They beat Carolina del Sur in Citrus Bowl and became the fifth team in the 133 -year programs to reach two -digit victories.
“In the last four seasons, our program has been based on hard, intelligent and reliable people in each facet: from our players, to our coaches and personnel, to our administration,” said Bielema in a statement. “I am lucky to work every day with an athletic director who completely believes in our football program and in a coaching staff that he believes completely in our players.”
Underwood praised his “alignment” programs with Atlético director Josh Whitman, administration and trusts.
“That foundation created the environment where, led by all the tremendous players that we have had together with a group of talented assistant coaches and a dedicated staff, we have the legs capable of achieving success,” he said.
Bielema, who took Wisconsin to three Rose Bowls before a disappointing race in Arkansas, replaced the Lovie Smith fire after the 2020 season. He obtained a six -year contract at that time with a salary that began at $ 4.2 million to return to the Big Ten and his native state.
Illinois had nine consecutive lost seasons before Bielema was hired. The Illini was 5-7 in his first year before winning eight games in 2022. They were 5-7 in 2023 before returning last year.
Illinois won 10 games for the first time since 2001. The Illini were classified by the University Football Playoffs Selection Committee, a record of the four consecutive weeks program and appeared in the AP survey 11 times, ending at number 16.
Underwood has 165-101 in general in Illinois and 92-66 in Big Ten Play, with three league championships. He and Lou Henson are the only Illini coaches with at least five consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. Illinois was also on the way to making the 2020 tournament that was Canoa or the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Illini won 22 games last season after losing five headlines and the eight best scorers of a team that reached the Eight elite in 2024.
Underwood has a record of 274-128 in 12 seasons as a chief coach, including three in Stephen F. Austin and one in the state of Oklahoma.
Associated Press reports.
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