Green Set for Contract Extension
September 10, 2026 | Women's Basketball
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois Women's Basketball Head Coach Shauna Green and the University have agreed to new terms related to her six-year contract, Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced Thursday. Green's contract, which runs through June 30, 2032, could now extend through June 30, 2036, based on team performance in the coming years. The agreement is pending University of Illinois Board of Trustees approval at its meeting Sept. 17.
"In four seasons at the helm, Shauna Green has completely transformed Fighting Illini Women's Basketball," Whitman said. "Her commitment to her team's daily growth on the court, in the classroom, and in the community reflects the vision and values Shauna instills in our program. Shauna has been relentless in her pursuit of excellence while also embracing our University, our community, and our fans. We are grateful for her trust and belief in the bright future of Illinois Women's Basketball, and we are pleased to amend her contract and secure her long-term leadership of the program."
In four seasons under Green, the Illinois women's basketball team has registered 85 wins, the first-ever postseason championship in program history (2024 Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament), and four consecutive top-5 season attendance marks in State Farm Center. Additionally, the Illini have racked up nine AP Top 25-ranked wins, secured double-digit home victories in four straight seasons for the first time in program history, won an NCAA Tournament game in back-to-back seasons, and brought in the No. 7-ranked recruiting class by espnW for the 2025-26 campaign.
Green was the first coach in Illinois women's basketball history to lead the Illini to winning seasons in their first two years at Illinois and has extended that stretch to all four seasons at the helm. Illinois' 85 wins through Green's first four seasons are the most by a head coach in their first four years with the Orange and Blue and give her sole possession of second place on Illinois' all-time win list. Across that period, Illinois is 51-15 at home under Green. The Illini won 11 consecutive games from Nov. 18-Jan. 1, 2026, a new single-season program record despite being the youngest team in the Big Ten and third-youngest Power 4 team in the country last season.
"I am so incredibly honored be the head women's basketball coach at the University of Illinois for years to come," Green said. "I want to thank Josh for his continued support of me and this program. The administrative backing of Josh and Sara means the world to me, and with their commitment to women's basketball, we will continue to advance our program. I want to thank our student-athletes and staff who continue to embrace the vision and our mindset of a relentless pursuit of being elite. There is no way we can achieve any of this without them! We have come a long way in four years here, but there is still plenty left to accomplish. We will work tirelessly to continue to pursue championships here at Illinois in the years to come. I-L-L!"
In Year 4 at Illinois, Green continued the program's upward trajectory with another 22-win season (22-12), a fourth-straight postseason appearance, and a second-consecutive season with an NCAA Tournament victory. The Fighting Illini racked up three wins over AP Top-25 ranked opponents including a win over No. 7-ranked Maryland for the program's first top-10 win in over a decade. With the help of the community, the Illini achieved the third sellout of State Farm Center in program history and first under Green on Feb. 8, 2026, with all 15,544 seats sold for the game vs. USC.
Illinois led the Big Ten in team free throw percentage (81.5%), which also broke the program's single-season record. UI set two more team single-season records during the 2025-26 campaign including fewest turnovers per game (12.38) and the longest win streak (11 games).
In Year 3 at Illinois, Green led the Orange and Blue to another 22-win season (22-10), a third-straight postseason appearance, and the program's first NCAA Tournament win in 25 years. The Fighting Illini tied the program record with four wins over AP Top-25 ranked opponents. Illinois led the Big Ten in team free throw percentage (79.3%) and defensive 3-point percentage (28.1%), while Genesis Bryant (free throw percentage) and Kendall Bostic (double-doubles, minutes/game, rebounds, def. rebounds/game, rebounds/game) combined to lead the league in six individual categories.
Year 2 saw continued growth under Green. The squad posted a 19-15 overall record, including an 8-10 mark in league play. Illinois opened the 2023-24 campaign ranked in the AP Preseason poll, marking the fourth time in program history that Illinois appeared in that poll. Green and her staff secured a commitment from McDonald's All-American Berry Wallace during their second season with the Orange and Blue.
The Illini finished the season with a flourish, winning five straight games to claim the 2024 WBIT crown. Bostic, Bryant, and Makira Cook were all named to the WBIT's all-tournament team, while Cook was also tabbed the Most Outstanding Player of the competition. With a year of eligibility remaining, all three opted to return to Illinois and spend their final collegiate seasons with Green and her staff, opening the door to continued talent retention in Green's program.
Year 1 at Illinois saw Green lead the program to new heights both on and off the court. The Illini finished 22-10 (11-7 B1G) and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 seasons. Illinois found itself ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2000 and would appear in four polls, ranking as high as No. 21. Green is the only Illini head coach to have a team ranked in their first season at UI.
With five returners from the 2021-22 Illinois squad that posted a 7-20 record, Green delivered the largest turnaround in program history and one of the top all-time in Big Ten history. The 15-win improvement from the previous season's 7-20 campaign set the best turnaround in program history and ranks third best in Big Ten history. In league play, Illinois tallied 10 more wins than the 2021-22 mark (1-13), the best turnaround in program history, which tied for the best all-time in the Big Ten.
In her first season at Illinois, Green was tabbed a WBCA NCAA Division I Coach of the Year finalist and was named the ESPN Coach of the Week on Dec. 19, 2022.
In the classroom, the Fighting Illini have earned 30 Academic All-Big Ten distinctions under Green. Illinois' 2025-26 combined team GPA of 3.624 was the top mark in the Big Ten for the third straight season.
