Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman has been the Fighting Illini since 2016. He has now reportedly earned a 4-year extension per Bret Beherns of WCIA3 in Champaign,Illinois.

This new extension will extend Whitman as Illinois’ AD through the year 2028, and is waiting to be approved by the Illinois Board of Trustees. The contract will give Whitman a $175,000 raise as well.

Whitman was the AD when the football program hired Bret Bielema in 2021. Bielema went 5-7 in his 1st season as head coach of the Fighting Illini. He was also at the university when the school hired men’s basketball Brad Underwood in 2017. Underwood has a 94-66 record since taking over. Whitman also recently hired women’s basketball coach Shauna Green.

Additional incentives from Whitman’s extension include a $50,000 annual raise through 2028, incentive compensation of up to $300,000 per year, and a $200,000 retention payment every 2 years as long as he is still Illinois’ AD.