Back to the Illinois Fighting Illini Newsfeed

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman says women's basketball coach Matt Bollant will be back next season

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman says women's basketball coach Matt Bollant will be back next season even after a losing season and lawsuit filed by former players over their treatment.

Whitman said in a statement posted to his Twitter feed that while the 9-21 team did not meet expectations on the court he was sure Bollant and his staff run the team with "integrity" and "an inclusive culture."

I'm excited about the future of @IlliniWBB under the leadership of @CoachBollant. #Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/n2sUzsJbZZ

— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) March 23, 2016

The lawsuit filed by seven former players accused Bollant and a former assistant coach of creating a racially abusive environment in the team.