CHAMPAIGN — Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman often reflected on the disparity between the school’s men’s and women’s basketball programs. With upgraded facilities, a passionate fanbase, and one of the best arenas in college basketball in the State Farm Center, everything was in place — yet only the men’s team had consistently succeeded.
While the men’s program had long been a point of pride for Illinois athletics, the women’s side had struggled for over a decade. Whitman’s first attempt to spark change, the hiring of Nancy Fahey, failed to produce results. Under Fahey, Illinois went 42-99 overall and just 7-77 in Big Ten play over five seasons.
That changed when Whitman hired Shauna Green away from Dayton. Green inherited one of the toughest rebuilding jobs in the Power Four, yet quickly reshaped the program. Now entering her fourth season, Green holds a 63-35 record, including a 30-24 mark in Big Ten play. She’s led Illinois to two NCAA Tournaments — including its first NCAA win in 25 years — and a WBIT championship.
Whitman admitted that projecting such a rapid turnaround would have seemed overly optimistic, but credits Green’s leadership, vision, and tireless work. “I can’t say enough good things about Shauna Green,” he said. “She’s been remarkable.”
While some might debate whether Green or football coach Bret Bielema faced a steeper climb, Whitman said it’s reasonable to argue Green had the more difficult task. Taking over a program with no recent success, Green made a bold move coming to Illinois — a program that needed her more than she needed it. But Whitman sold her on a vision, and Green delivered.
“It never made sense to me that the opportunity for men’s basketball was so vastly different than the women’s,” Whitman said. “It shouldn’t be that way. It feels like that door is now open — and she didn’t just open it, she kicked it down and ran through.”
Green kept key players like Kendall Bostic and Adalia McKenzie while adding crucial pieces from the transfer portal, including Makira Cook, Genesis Bryant, and Brynn Shoup-Hill. Their success helped elevate recruiting, bringing in both talented transfers (e.g., Camille Hobby, Jasmine Brown-Hagger, Aaliyah Guyton) and high-level prep prospects (like five-star Destiny Jackson).
As wins have come, so has fan support. Last season, Illinois averaged nearly 5,000 fans per game — up 34% from the year before and triple the attendance prior to Green’s arrival. Ticket revenue hit $300,000, a school record for the second straight year.
With core veterans now gone, Green’s fourth-year roster will look different. New leaders will emerge, and top recruits will play larger roles. Whitman is encouraged by the progress. “She’s recruiting like crazy,” he said. “It’s exciting to see the Block I becoming a real name in women’s basketball circles — something we envisioned when we hired her, and now, it’s happening.”
