Bill Cubit gets 2-year deal as Illinois Head Football Coach
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I really want to be excited for you and your newfound insider status, but...
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I was wondering why the coaching thread got locked. Ouch! I can't believe the stupidity. Couldn't they have done a 4 year with a low buy-out? They are saving big money with the salary anyway. I can't imagine this inspiring the Alumni/Boosters. Simply speachless...
Anyone who thinks "this makes sense" is missing the point. 126 other universities in FBS college football have figured out a way to hire a football coach with a conventional 4-year plus contract despite whatever internal turmoil their athletic departments may have been in. Only Illinios is the one to throw up their hands and say, "This is too much for us to handle. Check back in 2017, maybe we'll have this figured out by then." We are an absolute joke.
On a personal level, the reason this is so spirit crushing is that, meathead dummy I am, I chose to attend Illinios over a lot of other options in large part because I wanted big time athletics to be part of my experience as both a student and alumnus. And it was, back in '05 and '07. But now? I might as well have gone to SUNY Binghamton. This is the most small-time move for a purported big-time program that I've ever heard of.
On a personal level, the reason this is so spirit crushing is that, meathead dummy I am, I chose to attend Illinios over a lot of other options in large part because I wanted big time athletics to be part of my experience as both a student and alumnus. And it was, back in '05 and '07. But now? I might as well have gone to SUNY Binghamton. This is the most small-time move for a purported big-time program that I've ever heard of.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Thank you for the bolded.
I don't believe Cubit is the answer, but at this point the players have a coach that they know will be with them. Recruiting is likely to take a hit, but I'm holding further judgment on that until we see what happens with the AD.
Based on the existing situation, my dream scenario is that the new AD wrangles a high-profile coordinator to come in and be the HC in waiting. I know that it isn't done often, but it's my dream scenario and could forseeably save recruiting.
Go Illini, and beat the kitties from up north!!
That's really bad news.
Deleted member 10676
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I don't think Kowalczyk had a major say in this.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I can't imagine this to be right. I hope that this could happen, but, I think we have at least another year of Cubit. Coaches aren't going to interview for a job that is not open.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
Based on what?
Deleted member 29907
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Turning my time and attention full time to VT football if this is for real. Guess it gives me part of my Fall weekends back.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Yep.
Not trying to be overdramatic. I just don't know why I would ever devote as much time as this as I once did. Or any at all, really.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
The contract is only $1.2M (I know, it's a lot for most, but not for HFC). Buyout can't be much.
DeeBrownComeBack
- Champaign
The University of Illinois -- The only program that intentionally gives its football program the death penalty.
I will watch both and root for both. I won't spend any more money on Illini Athletics until the University of Illinois does as well.
Deleted member 10676
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Just about everything I've read or heard about this since Thomas was fired. It seemed obvious from that press conference on that nobody was in charge and everybody had a different view of what should happen. Plus what he said just a few days ago on the radio interview.
Why not Drake??
I don't want to be an insider, trust me. My uncle just happened to be down here in the south for Thanksgiving. I like my position on the board where it's at!
But, I think a lot of you are forgetting that the a lot of the players wanted Cubit to stay. And you're all being extremely dramatic. Switching teams? Stop donating? How is that going to help? What kind of coach did you expect us to land without a real AD in place? Yes it's a safe move and not an exciting one, but I think the players will respond today and silence the critics for their new coach. GO ILLINI!
Or he reads the Trib. Or twitter.
I'm surprised there is so much anger at giving Cubit a small extension. This gives the University enough time to do the right thing and bring in a permananent Chancellor and Provost first. I'm not sure many high level Athletic Directors and Head Football coaching candidates would be willing to come over with so much instability at the top of the university. It looks to me that the University is thinking long term even if it's unpopular with the fans.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
The plan is to stop donating, then complain when the new AD won't "open the pocketbook" for a splashy coaching hire.
Kramer
- Des Moines, Iowa
I've gone to a few Drake games, I got free tickets in the mail. It's not very good football.
Deleted member 526137
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Solid first post.:thumb:
Lovethechief78
- Bellevue, WA
THIS 100%. Am I thrilled where things are? Of course not, but reality is a !!!!! sometimes. We did NOT have great options here although, yes, that was largely from the administrations' lack of having a clue or giving a f*&% or some combination of those two. I agree a 4 year contract with a very small buyout would have been much better WITH a very small buyout. But by boycotting games and having tiny crowds, how does that help recruiting? Illinois football **IS** better than the 70's and while that doesn't excite ANY of us, we are NOT going to be a Michigan or OSU until the administration makes football success a priority. They won't do that, so we can hope to become a consistent 7-5, 8-4 team but not much more. Let Cubit continue to stabilize/marginally improve the program, retire in 2 years and hopefully we are hiring from a MUCH stronger position than we would be now.
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