Green Street 'Let's do something that's never been done before'
- Story byThe News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
- Green Street 'Let's do something that's never been done before'
Sep. 30—remarked about the size of the crowd that showed up Monday evening at the Esquire in downtown Champaign.
"We're a couple of rows deeper now," the Illinois fifth-year women's basketball coach said during her 30-plus minute live appearance on 'The News-Gazette Sports Page' radio show on WDWS, indicating the growing fan interest that has been created around her program. "So, that's awesome. Appreciate it."
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Green has made it to where it's become an annual preseason chat for her to join our show. And the timing has almost always come about a month before the new season tips off with the Illini in the midst of official preseason practices.
This was no different. But Green has certainly done her part to add more buzz and excitement regarding her program in what she considers a true basketball town.
By winning.
Illinois has won 85 games with Green as coach, which has her in second in program history in career wins. That's coincided with the fact Green has led the Illini to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons, with Illinois reaching the second round back-to-back years.
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"We're expecting that too," Green said on the idea that expectations are perhaps the highest they have been in Green's time in Champaign with Illinois opening up a highly-anticipated 2026-27 season on Nov. 4 against Detroit Mercy at State Farm Center in Champaign. "We're on the same page. So, let's make that happen.
"So excited about the season and (official) practices (getting underway on Sept. 23). Things are looking pretty good right now. Just have to continue to get fully healthy and stay healthy as you guys know. If we can have one season where we have full health, (it) would be amazing."
Green referenced the commitment of her players to what the Illini hope to accomplish this season — and beyond. That Green is "super, super grateful" to have a core group back for another season with the top nine players from last season's 22-win team returning.
That's particularly relevant given that Green reciprocated that with her own loyalty. Green signed a contact extension with amended terms to carry her through the 2031-32 season with the UI Board of Trustees approving the new six-year deal at its Sept. 17 meeting. That new deal came with a non-compete clause locking her in as the Illinois coach for at least the next four years.
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And if certain performance thresholds are met by the Illini, Green could extend that deal another four years and stay in place as the program's coach for the next decade.
It's a significant statement by Green.
"It's crazy when you think about 10 years. My thing is I truly believe, like what you were just talking about, my goal, our goal is to make a Final Four, is to compete for a national championship. A lot of people may say you're crazy. But that's fine. They told me I was crazy when I took the job. I'm used to people telling me you're crazy. I am asking our players and our recruits and I really am about them committing and being loyal to this program and not going to the highest bidder, not going to this big-name (program) or this or that. But I'd be a hypocrite if I'm going to wait until the next highest school calls me.
"So, my thing was, 'OK, let's sign this. I'm not going anywhere for four years for sure.' Because I can't and I don't want to. If I wanted to, I would have not signed it. So, I want our players to be like, 'Let's stay here. Let's do this together and let's do something that's never been done before.' I want players and we want to come and do something that's never been done and be the people that do it and to truly leave a legacy. That's why I signed it. That's why I am going to be here, and I hope our players see that and they want to do the same and they want to be loyal to this institution, as well."
