Illini AD Josh Whitman Receives Three-Year Extension

The University of Illinois athletics director has been rewarded with a three-year contract extension to keep Josh Whitman at his alma mater for the near future.

The university board of trustees approved the agreement Thursday at its monthly meeting in Chicago. The extension will raise his annual base salary from a current rate of $668,561 to $750,000 and will raise it to $850,000 by the end of the deal in June 2024.

“Under Josh’s leadership, we have seen our athletic programs move steadily forward and upward. Our student-athletes are competitive on the field, court, and track while finding success and support in the classroom. Our facilities continue to improve. And we have seen a growing list of fundraising milestones,” Illinois Chancellor Robert J. Jones said Wednesday in a university media release announcing the proposed extension. “We want to ensure that this momentum continues for years to come.”

Whitman previously served as the director of athletics at Washington University in St. Louis. The 41-year-old was a four-year starting tight end on the Illinois football team and spent parts of four seasons in the NFL prior to previously joining a law firm in Washington, D.C., and he served as a judicial law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Whitman has undertaken a serious rebuilding project with Illinois athletics including the termination of football coach Bill Cubit and the hiring of his replacement Lovie Smith on his first official day of employment.

Whitman has also made coaching changes in men’s basketball (John Groce to Brad Underwood), women’s basketball (Matt Bollant to Nancy Fehay), the hiring of volleyball coach Chris Tamas, women’s tennis coach Evan Clark as women’s tennis coach, and negotiating long-term contract extensions with successful Illinois head coaches Mike Small (men’s golf), Brad Dancer (men’s tennis), Dan Hartleb (baseball), Jim Heffernan (wrestling), Tyra Perry (softball), Janet Rayfield (soccer) and Justin Spring (men’s gymnastics).

"To me, today is a resounding endorsement of the important work that we have undertaken together during these last three-and-a-half years. I cannot adequately express the pride I feel to represent our Fighting Illini Family in such a meaningful capacity, and I look forward to continuing our shared pursuit of excellence in the years to come." - Illinois Athletics Director Josh Whitman

Whitman also showed commitment to Lovie Smith last winter with a two-year contract extension for a head coach with a 9-27 overall record after three seasons.

Under Whitman’s administration, Illinois has opened the $80 million Smith Family Football Center facility and plans have begun on a renovation of the Ubben practice facility for men’s basketball along with the ongoing step-by-step process to bring Division 1 hockey to the athletics department that coincides with a new downtown arena project. Whitman’s fundraising efforts have included the athletics department receiving more than 20 gifts of $1 million or more, including a $20-million gift from Chris and Dale Smith, the largest gift in UI athletics history.

“Now is not the time to celebrate. Now is not the time to rest. Yes, we have made progress, but we have not arrived. Now is the time to push. Now more than ever, we must redouble our efforts,” Whitman’s statement said. “The fire may be lit but we must fan the flames. We must grow our support, expand our reach, and swing that sledgehammer harder and faster than ever before. Our hands may grow calloused and bloody from the effort and our shoulders may ache from the strain, but the crack is there, and we must drive open the opportunity it presents. I am thankful for the chance to continue swinging the sledgehammer with you. Representing you, this incredible University, and the Fighting Illini faithful has been the most fulfilling experience of my professional life. I am an Illini son, and I have never been prouder to be part of this Orange and Blue Family. I will give you everything I have. Together, we will shatter that boulder. And together, WE WILL WIN.”