Illinois AD Josh Whitman receives raise, extension through 2024

Illinois Football and Men’s Basketball are finally winning, and that might end with a raise and contract extension for Director of Athletics Josh Whitman.

Whitman, who took over in March 2016 and quickly hired Lovie Smith, was extended through the 2023-24 academic year after the University’s Board of Trustees approved it Thursday morning.

His new term runs through June 30, 2024.

Whitman penned a letter on FightingIllini.com expressing his thoughts at this time.

Hope and I are humbled by the University’s generosity, grateful for the many friendships we have formed over these first years of my tenure, and appreciative of the opportunity to continue raising our young children in Champaign-Urbana. 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.

According to a news release, the new contract takes effect Friday (Nov. 15) with an annual salary of $750,000. That salary increases each year by $25,000 on July 1.

Whitman was previously the Athletic Director at Washington University in St. Louis and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Here’s some response from those inside Illinois.

Congrats, Josh. Let’s keep fighting.