Brad Underwood previously signed a six-year, $43.5 million contract with the illinois ! See Why…

Brad Underwood coached Illinois basketball to the NCAA Elite Eight this season.

The coach’s sustained success at the Big Ten Conference program means his name has surfaced in media reports as a possible replacement at Kentucky following coach John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas.

Underwood just completed his seventh and most successful season at Illinois. The 60-year-old led the Illini to the Big Ten Conference tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight. His Fighting Illini teams are 117-49 over the last five seasons, including a 69-31 record in the Big Ten in that span.

Underwood was hired by Illinois in March 2017 after one season at Oklahoma State. He originally signed a six-year contract — but earned one-year extensions to that contract in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Underwood’s success this season helped add to the deal, earning him $160,000 in bonuses and triggering a one-year extension. The coach’s contract now runs through April 30, 2030, and includes a buyout.

Here’s everything to know about Underwood’s contract, including his buyout:

Brad Underwood salary

At $4.7 million this season, Underwood’s compensation is eighth among college basketball’s highest-paid coaches at public schools, according to a USA TODAY database. In the Big Ten, he trails only Michigan State’s Tom Izzo ($6.2 million). Kansas coach Bill Self ($9.6 million) tops the list.

Brad Underwood buyout

Illinois’ appearance in the just concluded NCAA Tournament resulted in his contract being automatically extended for one year, so if Underwood were to leave Illinois for a job at a school outside the Big Ten, he would owe Illinois about $15.3 million. If Underwood were to take a job at a Big Ten school, he would owe double what he would owe if he left for a non-Big Ten school.

If Illinois were to fire Underwood without cause, the school would owe him about $30.6 million, subject to Underwood having a duty to find another job and Illinois being entitled to offset its payment to Underwood based on his income from the new position. At present, Illinois’ buyout payments to Underwood would be made in monthly installments through the end of the scheduled contract term, which is now April 30, 2030.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood is set to capitalize financially on his team’s success in this year’s Big Ten Basketball Tournament, unlocking a number of bonuses.

According to USA TODAY’s Steve Berkowitz, Underwood will get $50,000 for winning the tournament title, as well as $50,000 for unlocking an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Perhaps more importantly, the automatic NCAA Tournament bid also triggers an automatic one-year contract extension for Underwood at his base salary rate of $5.3 million. It is fully guaranteed.

Brad Underwood’s contract will now take him through the 2029-30 season.

Illinois beat Wisconsin 93-87 to win a thoroughly entertaining Big Ten title game. Guard Terrance Shannon Jr., who was electric throughout the tournament, was once again instrumental in the win.

With the game tied a 85 with 1:29 to go, Shannon nailed a 3-pointer that put the Fighting Illini up for good. He later came up with a steal on the ensuing possession and was fouled, making both free throws to extend the lead to five. Illinois never trailed from that moment on as it closed things out.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood is set to capitalize financially on his team’s success in this year’s Big Ten Basketball Tournament, unlocking a number of bonuses.

According to USA TODAY’s Steve Berkowitz, Underwood will get $50,000 for winning the tournament title, as well as $50,000 for unlocking an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Perhaps more importantly, the automatic NCAA Tournament bid also triggers an automatic one-year contract extension for Underwood at his base salary rate of $5.3 million. It is fully guaranteed.