Illinois agrees to contract extension for offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has agreed to a one-year contract extension by way of the 2025 season, the college introduced Wednesday.

Lunney, who’s incomes $675,000 this yr, can be paid $800,000 in 2023 and $825,000 every of the next two years.

Coach Bret Bielema in January employed Lunney away from UTSA, the place he was offensive coordinator and affiliate head coach. Lunney beforehand labored on Bielema’s workers at Arkansas.

The Twenty first-ranked Illini (7-2, 4-2 Huge Ten) are averaging higher than 83 yards extra per sport this season, the largest enchancment within the Huge Ten by greater than 20 yards.

Illinois options the nation’s main rusher in Chase Brown, the No. 2 quarterback in completion proportion in Tommy DeVito, and an offensive line that’s up for the Joe Moore Award because the nation’s prime unit.

Illinois is in first place within the Huge Ten West heading into its residence sport in opposition to Purdue on Saturday.

“Coach Lunney has had a huge effect in his time right here directing our offense,” Bielema mentioned. “He has offered an pleasure for our offensive gamers and coaches within the constructing every single day since he got here in. The alternatives he has offered our gamers by way of his environment friendly scheme has been very important for the success of our program as we set new expectations going ahead.”