Illinois Inks Women's Hoops Coach Shauna Green to Multi-Year Extension

Since arriving in Champaign, Shauna Green has revolutionized the Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball program.

From the 2003-04 season to 2021-22, Illinois failed to make the NCAA Tournament even once. Green has led the Fighting Illini to the postseason three times in their four seasons at the helm, and athletic director Josh Whitman is now rewarding Green for her team's performance.

Illinois announced on Thursday afternoon that it had extended Green's contract through June 30, 2032, pending approval by the university's board of trustees at its Sep. 17 meeting. The contract also has the option to extend through June 30, 2036, depending on team performance.

It's been a busy year for Whitman, who inked a contract extension of his own in July. The former Illini football player, who is responsible for hiring Green, men's basketball coach Brad Underwood and football coach Bret Bielema, is now under contract with the university through at least 2036, and potentially through 2039.

Underwood's contract was extended through 2032 in May — with the potential to run through 2036 — and Bielema signed a contract extension through 2030 last year. Green was naturally the next Illini coach in line for a deal after turning her program around in just four years.

Green, 46, has recorded an 85-47 overall record as the head coach of the Fighting Illini, already giving her the second-most wins in program history. That includes a 39-33 record in Big Ten play.

In her first season with Illinois, Green took the Illini to a 22-10 (11-7 B1G) record and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2003. The team played in the First Four as a No. 11 seed.

Although the Fighting Illini missed out on March Madness in 2023-24, Green's team still managed to make a postseason run. Illinois was selected to the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament and ended up winning the event. After going 5-0 during the 32-team tournament, Illinois had posted an overall 19-15 (8-10 B1G) record on the season.

Illinois returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2024-25, earning a No. 8 seed. The Fighting Illini defeated Creighton in the Round of 64 to secure their first trip to the second round since 2000 before falling to eventual Final Four team Texas.

Last season, the Illini went 22-12 (9-9 B1G) and landed a No. 7 seed in March Madness. Illinois beat Colorado in the opening round of the tournament, but lost in the Round of 32 for the second consecutive year.

Green's 85 wins in Champaign trail only Theresa Grentz — who went 210-156 from 1996 to 2007 — for the most by an Illinois coach in program history. Her .644 win percentage is the highest by any Illini coach ever.