Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman has received a contract extension through 2036, accompanied by a significant salary increase. The university's board of trustees approved the extension for Whitman, a former Illinois football player who has led the athletic department since February 2016.

Whitman's salary will rise to $2.15 million for the 2026-27 academic year, a jump of over $600,000. He will also be eligible for an annual retention bonus of $500,000. Over the life of the agreement, Whitman's total compensation is projected to reach $26.1 million, or $31.1 million with the retention bonuses.

The board cited Whitman's leadership in guiding Illinois to "unprecedented success in the modern era" and his standing as a "prominent national voice in collegiate athletics." During his tenure, the men's basketball team reached the Final Four for the first time since 2026, and the football program achieved its best two-year win total in history. Whitman also hired coaches Brad Underwood and Bret Bielema.