It may not be the most PC thing to discuss, but this is a very important PR piece and will be a major recruiting tool. It's not just that African-American kids sometimes prefer to play for AA coaches - it's a statement that the African-American community will understand as our university being committed to honoring diversity and rewarding merit regardless of skin color. In a way that's completely fair (to my mind), the AA community often feels that universities (especially northern, academically oriented ones) are the province of white bureaucrats who aren't invested in their communities and children's futures. These hires are a strong message about the entire institution's ethos and ideology.
Illinois Football Staff Thread
It may not be the most PC thing to discuss, but this is a very important PR piece and will be a major recruiting tool. It's not just that African-American kids sometimes prefer to play for AA coaches - it's a statement that the African-American community will understand as our university being committed to honoring diversity and rewarding merit regardless of skin color. In a way that's completely fair (to my mind), the AA community often feels that universities (especially northern, academically oriented ones) are the province of white bureaucrats who aren't invested in their communities and children's futures. These hires are a strong message about the entire institution's ethos and ideology.
Holy Snikeys!!!!! Tim Freakin Spencer!! He only coached a couple of good running backs and a Heisman trophy winner..:clappy::whoo::rock:
#WeWillWinicengineer
- Southern Illinois
Which of these guys has been confirmed by UI as actual hires?
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Great start. S&C coach is a huge hire.
Hasn't the University's black enrollment been trending downward for a while now? I'd rather us not be ND (also most other P5 schools) where we let a bunch of black students in exclusively to play football and basketball with very few black students in the general population, but that's more of a university problem than DIA problem.
Officially? None of them. I would assume they're waiting to announce the whole staff at one time..or atleast a majority of them.
Didn't mean to imply that anyone did. Just anxious to see what new excuse is given by the various handlers, now that the minority coach thing has been put to rest.
Pretty sure that it will continue to be bu$ine$$ as usual in Chicago - especially on the basketball side.
I believe the football hires will amplify the university's academic reputation and raise awareness of it in black communities, especially within the state. Hopefully we'll see an increase in non-athlete African-American applicants as a secondary benefit of the DIA's actions, which will improve the overall diversity and quality of the university. Maybe I'm too idealistic.
Tim Spencer may not be a done deal yet.
PaytonHighstep
- Downers Grove, IL
#InLovieWeTrust
This just keeps getting better and better.
I think the hashtag should be #InLovieWeTrustie
Kramer116
- Chicago
Yes that would suck if not true
Trakis
- Chicago, IL
It was absolutely a joke.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
Oh well, next man up.
Trakis
- Chicago, IL
crap.
And BEYOND that...That are all absolutely phenomenal, home run hires.
PaytonHighstep
- Downers Grove, IL
phew. :doh:
Worth noting re: Spencer
Seems like Lovie is going to be bringing on coaches he is very familar with. Here is an outside the box idea. Former Chicago Bears safety Chris Harris. Currently the DB coach for the Chargers.
http://www.chargers.com/team/coaches/roster/chris-harris
http://www.chargers.com/team/coaches/roster/chris-harris
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
Lovie has great connections. Spencer would have been a A+ hire, but the back up plan may be an A- hire.