Illinois is 'pushing hard' for Northwestern's Jim Phillips
May 19, 2011 10:35 PM
Against this backdrop comes word that Illinois, seeking an athletic director to replace the retiring Ron Guenther, is "pushing hard" for NU's Jim Phillips, according to an industry source. Another source said Phillips is one of three or four top Illini targets.
Oregon, Arizona, Kansas and Maryland have asked to talk to Phillips about their AD vacancies. Phillips has declined, showing loyalty to a school that hired him from Northern Illinois in April 2008.
Although Phillips is a 1990 graduate of Illinois, it's hard to imagine the Chicago native leaving "Chicago's Big Ten team," as his marketing staff has dubbed it.
But why would top NU officials take the risk?
Teddy Greenstein
Oregon, Arizona, Kansas and Maryland have asked to talk to Phillips about their AD vacancies. Phillips has declined, showing loyalty to a school that hired him from Northern Illinois in April 2008.
Although Phillips is a 1990 graduate of Illinois, it's hard to imagine the Chicago native leaving "Chicago's Big Ten team," as his marketing staff has dubbed it.
But why would top NU officials take the risk?
Teddy Greenstein
Filed under: Illini Basketball, Illini Football
