The Illinois AD Search
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Works for me. Let's get it done and get going. He checks the box for passionate about Illinois and would probably be here a long time if he performs.
I am fine with Whitman, but why exactly did Tiley fall through I wonder? From all acounts both sides had interest.
This is also what I feel. And what I want to know.
So Whitman is TJL? Younger, not as highly ranked, good potential and a year later.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
Sadly yes, I fear.
I like your optimism, my fellow Illini.
Tiley and George would have been grand slams, but Whitman has a ton of potential and is already a brilliant and personable and passionate Illini man.
As a lifelong Illini fan, I feel, like many do, that the News-Gazette just trumps what the U of I wants it to regarding sports. Illinihq has a little cover story about Whitman. We're getting Whitman.
We could do worse.
We probably weren't willing to meet Tiley's demands. The sad truth. We are what we are.
This does not mean we are toast though. The BIG west is wide open. If we could continue to string together some taller, more athletic classes,and develop them, we could build some consistency and become relevant in football again. It is possible for Whitman to hire our Ferentz, Alvarez or Dantonio which is what so many of us our hoping for.
Regarding basketball, hopefully Groce is the answer, but if not, we could still attract a good coach. There are other Hensons out there. We just have to find him (or her, but I would bet "him") And we should be able to learn about Groce next season with all of the talent we have returning and coming into the program. It really is difficult to give Groce a fair shake after this snake-bitten season.
And you never know, Cubit could, maybe, build something. I am willing to give him a chance this year to see what he can do with an experienced roster and healthy offensive weapons. If he wins 8 games, he deserves an extension. Heck, if he wins 7 games, I would extend him and the staff. 7 wins is a good first step back to relevance for the Illini. We need to build a foundation. We have to be patient to actually build something of substance here.
Illini forever, just need to realize that the University isn't willing to invest in the athletics department. I doubt Tiley's demands were unreasonable. He is worthy of a top level salary. His abilities are worth whatever it takes to get him. He will galvanize the fanbase, and bring us together. He will be able to raise millions. He already built a tennis program here. A tennis program at Illinois!! I would feel safe with him choosing our future coaches.
I really hope I am wrong about the article about Whitman...
(Maybe we can still get Tiley!!! )
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Ha! I jut saw your post. I think you nailed it.
Whitman is perhaps the only candidate that would end up benefitting from this prolonged, Mickey-mouse "search" process. Because if they had just turned to him out of the gate back in November/December, there would have been much grousing about his D-III pedigree and lack of a track record. The overwhelming sentiment would have been, "This is the best we can do?" But three months into this mess, I think the perception has shifted to "Under the circumstances, We could do a lot worse." In Illini terms, "We could do worse" is a resounding public relations success.
Maybe so, but Whitman might be Glynn Watson, and we would certainly be doing much better with that PG.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
We go Live to outside Rick George's home in Boulder, CO
I hope no one is fooled by this picture! I mean, it's Colorado, where's the snow?
Yeah but will he redshirt?
:thumb:Assuming this hire is Whitman (which now appears to be all but certain), he will face many challenges due to a lack of experience in administration at the P5 level. That said, of all the candidates besides perhaps RG, I believe he is the best person to have when it comes time to hire the next football coach. He is clearly a bright individual who understands football at all levels from a player's perspective. If nothing else, hopefully the fan base sees that and his fundraising success he had at Washington University continues here. Who knows, he could become the AD of the next 20 years for Illinois. Or, he could be a disaster and fail quickly, but if what people say regarding his intelligence is true, that seems unlikely IMO.
I'll need to go back and listen, but while this quote is accurate, it's very misleading.
He said "probably Whitman, from what I hear" to distinguish him from Michael if Tiley turns us down after George gives his final no.
Wow, if true, that is definitely misleading. Somebody got me with the old out of context trick
89illinigrad
- Chicago
And how tall is he? And is that with or without shoes?
I haven't seen anything that makes me think all but certain. I think he is one possibilty. But I don't know why he would be certain.
ray:Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
Huh? Loren Tate and the newsgazette haven't had an inside source since Paul Klee left. A LOT has to happen for Whitman to be the next AD at Illinois
thatguy knows stuff. Both information and misinformation. But it appears the time for misinformation has ended. At least that's the hope.
I have no inside info to that effect, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that Whitman was just chosen over Tiley.
Tiley might not be the donor darling everyone assumes he is, and Whitman supposedly wowed everybody during the process.
Tiley might not be the donor darling everyone assumes he is, and Whitman supposedly wowed everybody during the process.
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