CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman announced today a contract extension for head baseball coach Dan Hartleb. The extension, which will be considered by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its November 17th meeting, will keep Hartleb on contract through at least the conclusion of the 2027 season.

"Dan Hartleb embodies Illinois Baseball," Whitman said. "He is an intense competitor, a teacher of fundamentals and an established leader. He and his family are stalwarts of the local community, and Dan has grown into a very influential voice within our program. We are fortunate to have him continuing to lead our baseball student-athletes to even greater heights in the years ahead. I am grateful for his hard work and trust, and we look forward to celebrating many more Illini victories with him at the helm."

Dan Hartleb is in his 18th year as head coach at Illinois and 33rd year on the Illini coaching staff for the upcoming 2023 season. Coach Hartleb ranks among the winningest coaches in school history, as he enters 2023 with a career record of 507-371-1 (.576). The D1Baseball.com Big Ten Coach of the Decade for the 2010s has won a pair of Big Ten titles (2011, 2015) and owns a conference record of 241-182 (.569).

Under Coach Hartleb, Illinois has had one of its best eras ever, winning 61.0 percent of its games over the last ten years (298-192-1). Every Illini that has played four years for Hartleb has left with a winning percentage of .500 or better. Coach Hartleb's teams have finished with a record of .500 or better in 16-of-17 seasons under his leadership.

Hartleb recorded his 500th win as head coach on May 7, 2022, becoming the second head coach in program history to reach that milestone. Hartleb finished the campaign with 507 career wins and is now just 12 shy of passing Lee Eilbracht for the most wins in program history.

During the 2021 season, Hartleb recorded his 475th win after a 14-8 victory over Penn State on May 22, 2021. The win moved him into second place on the program's all-time wins list, passing his predecessor and mentor Richard "Itch" Jones. Hartleb also managed the Illini's combined no-hitter at Purdue on April 25, 2021, the first for the program since 1985. Following the season, Hartleb was named to the coaching staff for the 2021 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Illinois returned to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time under Hartleb in 2019. The four NCAA trips in the last 11 seasons (2011, 2013, 2015, 2019) is the best stretch in program history, as Hartleb set the Illinois program record for tournament appearances. The Illini reached the postseason by winning two season series against ranked teams (Coastal Carolina, Indiana) for the third time in the Hartleb era, joining 2009 (LSU, Minnesota) and 2015 (Oklahoma State, Ohio State).

"Words cannot fully express how blessed I am to continue to work for the University of Illinois in a leadership role within our athletic department," Hartleb said. "Our family, coaching staff, support staff, donors and most importantly our players, have poured many hours and resources into our program. Our current and former players have worked tirelessly to make our program successful and respected on and off the athletic field."

"The support of our program and the support of me personally starts at the top with Josh Whitman and the entire administration. I am looking forward to continuing to peruse excellence within our program academically, socially and athletically."

"As a group we have many goals as we move forward during this contract period and into the future. I am thankful, motivated and extremely excited about this continued opportunity to lead Illinois baseball."