Illinois hires search firm

Illinois has hired Parker Executive Search at a flat rate of $90,000, according to a university official. It's the same firm used when Mike Thomas was hired last year and when B. Joseph White was hired as president in 2005. In terms of athletics searches, Parker has been involved with head coaching hires at Bradley and Northern Illinois, among others. I'm told Thomas was in Atlanta to meet with the firm yesterday. More on that in Thursday's N-G. William Wesley tells me he doesn't have a relationship with and hasn't spoken with Mike Thomas. That can always change. Wesley has a knack for meeting people.

Klee