No brainer, IMHO.
Getting the facilities done and changing the feel of U of I athletics are his two best accomplishments so far, donors are back. I do agree with LFOB, that he is the right man for THIS job. However, I don't think a lot of other universities would come a calling. I don't get the point of the raise either, but am good with the extension. Raising this year from $668k - $750k is not a huge change, for the U of I athletic budget, but I don't know why it was necessary.Anyone care to list his accomplishments? Is the Athletic Dept generating a lot more revenue than it would have without him? I get that he's considered a smart and loyal guy, but I'm curious what the case is for his increase. Are we worried he'll get poached?
I'm curious about these two passages from the News Gazette:
Giving a raise for no discernable reason tells an employee they are valued for their contributions.
That's called a preemptive strike. Very smart Administration move.He deserves it. He I took over an embarrassment of a program and it seems now to have turned the corner back to some level of respectability. Keep him happy. Likely cheap insurance against Lovie winning out this year or getting to a major bowl in the next couple years and Josh becoming a very hot commodity for any high profile $$$ school desperate for a football turnaround.
Premature in my opinion. Back to back bowls and back to back tournament appearances and I think we can call him a success.
Oh yeah, I forgot. Josh is directly responsible for coaching the men's basketball and football teams and is on the road recruiting in high school living rooms. Never mind that trivial matter of presiding over the entire athletic empire in C-U. I quote from the UI web presence, "Illinois has 10 men’s NCAA teams and 11 women’s NCAA teams with 15 major facilities." I find it almost outrageous that those here would question the raise and belittle the accomplishments of Mr. Whitman. Did anyone here feel they did not deserve their own raise? Remember the last 3 ADs. You want to go back in time and resurrect those administrations?
Getting the facilities done and changing the feel of U of I athletics are his two best accomplishments so far, donors are back. I do agree with LFOB, that he is the right man for THIS job. However, I don't think a lot of other universities would come a calling. I don't get the point of the raise either, but am good with the extension. Raising this year from $668k - $750k is not a huge change, for the U of I athletic budget, but I don't know why it was necessary.