Josh Whitman Named 14th Illinois Athletics Director

#1      

IanKEvans2

IanKEvans2
IanKEvans2
CbgvFpuUsAAb1gT.jpg

https://twitter.com/WCIA3Bret/status/700361516298563584


Josh Whitman Named 14th Illinois Director of Athletics
http://www.fightingillini.com/news/2016/2/17/GEN_0217162638.aspx?path=general


Today, the climb begins. I look forward to the journey. It will be the trip of a lifetime. Go #Illini!
https://twitter.com/IlliniAD/status/700124698542280705

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Whitman it is, according to Ryan Baker via Twitter.

Ryan Baker ✔ @RyanBakerMedia
I can confirm former @IlliniFootball player Josh Whitman is the new @IlliniAthletics AD. Whitman will be introduced on Thursday. @cbschicago
https://twitter.com/RyanBakerMedia/status/699745578259853312
 
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#2      

Smacko

S
Lexington, KY
Smacko
Is Whitman a home-run hire like George or Tiley? No, but it also isn't a complete trainwreck. With this administration, it could be much much much worse.
 
#3      

IlliniByProxy

IlliniByProxy
St. Joseph, IL
IlliniByProxy
Loren Tate and Ryan Baker reporting Josh Whitman will be the next Illini AD.

Edit: Whoops to slow...
 
#7      

ILLINIShox24

ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
ILLINIShox24
Wooooooo!

Finally over. Big exhale.

Whitman has excelled at everything he has done. I think he has a very promising future.

Could have been a hell of a lot worse.

Onward and upward.
 
#8      

Epsilon

Epsilon
M tipping over
Pdx
Epsilon
RyanK said:
Agree, combes. Tiley and George offered safe floors, but the ceiling of Whitman is immense.
Click to expand...

You put intelligence behind strong leadership skills and the sky is the limit.
 
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#10      

bombayIllini

B
bombayIllini
I wanted Tiley, but am thrilled with JW.

I have seen some of his vids on YT and he is awesome - Mr. Fluid. Sharpe. Cool. Calm. And collected.
 
#11      

Trakis

Trakis
Chicago, IL
Trakis
I think we just upgrade from "it's not ideal" to "it could have been worse."

Progress.
 
#12      

AutoPoster 3000

AutoPoster 3000
AutoPoster 3000
Personally, I think they might have accidentally made a very gutsy and exciting choice. They likely defaulted to Whitman out of their misguided "Illini Guy" silliness. On paper, he doesn't have the qualifications. But they fell backwards into a rare talent with skills that go beyond simple athletic directing who can grow into a top-tier guy (like Jim Phillips) that's also loyal and does not view Illinois as a stepping stone but as a final destination.
 
#13      

chiefini

chiefini
Rockford, Illinois
chiefini
Welcome home, Josh! I'm extremely hopeful because of his intelligence, youthful enthusiasm, vast array of experience, NFL contacts, and love of his Illini, that Josh will rejuvenate University of Illinois Athletics across the board. :illinois:-L-L
 
#17      

bigruss22

B
bigruss22
I'd love a long tenure from the man, get lucky with some coaches, rally the donors, keep progressing the DIA/facilities, easy right?
 
#18      

Illinoy

I
Illinoy
I can say I'm more excited about the potential of Whitman than I was for George. What did George do that was so impressive because be a name at a power 5 school? Despite making a financial move for the Pac 12, Colorado is no more impressive than Illinois at the moment.

Whitman had proven to have high aptitude at worst and ties to both the NFL and Illinois fixtures from our glory years from 2000-2008.
 
#20      

Illest

I
Illest
Phenomenal hire. The perfect fit for a university that wants to excel in both athletics and academics, and wants to do it with integrity.
 
#22      

Illinir1

Illinir1
Camdenton, MO
Illinir1
Welcome back home Mr. Whitman. We're glad you're onboard and look forward to reestablishing excellence in Illini sports and programs we can all boast about being a part of.

:chief::chief::illinois::chief::chief:
 
#24      

dsboyce

dsboyce
Golden, IL
dsboyce
His first order of business should be to fire Jason Lener.