Bill Cubit has agreed to be the coach at Illinois for the next two years.
The appointment awaits the expected approval by the school's board of trustees.
Cubit was promoted from offensive coordinator to interim coach after Tim Beckman was fired just before the start of the season.
The Illini are 5-6, 2-5 Big Ten heading into Saturday's regular-season finale against No. 17 Northwestern (9-2, 5-2) at Soldier Field.
Interim athletic director Paul Kowalczyk says Cubit "has stepped in during an extremely difficult period and done an outstanding job."
Cubit will make $1.2 million per year.
Cubit joined the Illinois staff as offensive coordinator in 2013. He has a head coaching record of 90-70-1, including stints at Widener and Western Michigan.
