Josh Whitman Named 14th Illinois Athletics Director

#251      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
I thought Josh Whitman did well, a little nervous, but composed, and without any fake rah rah rah.

I am a risk taker, as in previous searchers/hires. If you can't get the big names (and in this case George and Tiley were comfortable where they were), I'd rather go for the some young up-n-comer with potential to become stars. It will be some learning on the job, but I think he is smart and ambitious and can lead the program.

Don't expect any immediate hiring decisions, but I think he is competent to make solid decisions when the time comes.
 
#252      

Franklin Delano Bluth

Franklin Delano Bluth
Franklin Delano Bluth
brylini said:
Row the boat? Anyone catch that one?
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Or the shoutout to Ron Gunther?
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Other than that, Whitman sounded good, and I hope he can turn this thing around
 
#257      

Deleted member 19448

D
Guest
Deleted member 19448
Should we start Fleck watch with the "row the boat" reference.
 
#258      

Kramer

Kramer
Des Moines, Iowa
Kramer
Does anyone else think his voice sounds like Jon Hamm? AKA Don Draper AKA Dick Whitman.
 
#259      

Cubby Blue

C
Cubby Blue
Nice to see Barb acknowledge Judge Flannel. :thumb: As big of an Illini fan as he is, I am sure he was proud to serve on the search team. :shield:


Also, does anyone see a resemblemce between Josh and the Ed Harris from about the time of "the Abyss"

images
 
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#260      

coryfor3

C
coryfor3
Bernstein and Abbatacola making some excellent points about this hiring and UI athletics. Sorry kids.
 
#261      

EfremWinters84

E
S. Carolina
EfremWinters84
Things that stand out the most:

1. JW seems to have a great rapport with our interim Chancellor (that's a good thing)
2. He seems to certainly have ties to the Illini past -- Guenther, et.al.
3. He's lived through the most recent rise and fall of Illini athletics. He, therefore, knows where we want/need to be.
4. We essentially got no insight into what he really thinks of our current coaches -- instead stating that they'll "be talking"
5. Leslie Frasier is one name to watch if/when he decides to replace Cubit

It seems to me he has to do something drastic relatively soon. I just can't imagine that the same names and the same faces are suddenly going to start winning now that JW is onboard. We need better players on our FB and BB squads.
 
#264      

South Farms

S
near Ogden & Rt 83
South Farms
coryfor3 said:
Bernstein and Abbatacola making some excellent points about this hiring and UI athletics. Sorry kids.
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No matter who it was we hired, and I mean anyone you could possibly think of, and Bernstein would rip it. Don't listen to that fool. Its his job to stir the pot and generate irate callers that he can then put down with snappy remarks.

It his schtick and it has nothing to do with reality. The person that we could have hired, that he would praise, does not exist.
 
#266      

IlliniRunIn07

IlliniRunIn07
Tampa, FL
IlliniRunIn07
South Farms said:
No matter who it was we hired, and I mean anyone you could possibly think of, and Bernstein would rip it. Don't listen to that fool. Its his job to stir the pot and generate irate callers that he can then put down with snappy remarks.

It his schtick and it has nothing to do with reality. The person that we could have hired, that he would praise, does not exist.
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"Jesus Christ might seem like a good hire on paper, but he's only done it in the Catholic league!"
 
#267      

TheBucket

T
TheBucket
EfremWinters84 said:
Things that stand out the most:

1. JW seems to have a great rapport with our interim Chancellor (that's a good thing)
2. He seems to certainly have ties to the Illini past -- Guenther, et.al.
3. He's lived through the most recent rise and fall of Illini athletics. He, therefore, knows where we want/need to be.
4. We essentially got no insight into what he really thinks of our current coaches -- instead stating that they'll "be talking"
5. Leslie Frasier is one name to watch if/when he decides to replace Cubit

It seems to me he has to do something drastic relatively soon. I just can't imagine that the same names and the same faces are suddenly going to start winning now that JW is onboard. We need better players on our FB and BB squads.
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How / where did you get Frazier's name from? Does he have a connection with Whitman?

Just curious, I'd be willing to give him a shot...
 
#269      

Shane Walsh

Shane Walsh
aka "Captain Oblivious"
Cynthiana, Kentucky
Shane Walsh
coryfor3 said:
Bernstein and Abbatacola making some excellent points about this hiring and UI athletics. Sorry kids.
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Let me guess, we are all a bunch of racist downstate mouth breathers who love the chief and we had to hire someone from here because nobody else wanted to come? That about right?
 
#270      

South Farms

S
near Ogden & Rt 83
South Farms
Shane Walsh said:
Let me guess, we are all a bunch of racist downstate mouth breathers who love the chief and we had to hire someone from here because nobody else wanted to come? That about right?
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without having listened to one second of their show, as I never do anymore {but I did about 10-12 years ago}, that has been the crux of their criticism of us for awhile now. Throw in some new/old references to Ron Zook/Tim Beckman for good measure, and drudge up another old story from a disgruntled former donor, and you have it.

rinse , lather , repeat.
 
#271      

Lucy727

Lucy727
Des Plaines, Il
Lucy727
Nah, Bernstein said that according to "his contacts" Josh Whitman won't be prepared for how bad the AD job will be. There is much worse info to come and Josh hasn't discovered it yet.
 
#272      

westvilleillini

W
westvilleillini
I missed the show today, but yesterday Bernstein's sentiment was basically, "Whitman seems like a bright guy, but he probably just ruined his career by taking the Illinois job". He also conceded that the basketball program has potential to be on par with where Arizona's currently is, but the football program is perpetually hopeless.
 
#273      

Illinijose

I
Illinijose
Whitman strikes me as an outstanding hire, I believe this hire had to be an "Illinois Man". Whitman being a football player and scholar give him an understanding of what needs to be done.

I agree with those that say if Illinois didn't hire him a rival would soon do so in the coming years. Watching his news conference got me going and ignited what going to Illinois meant. As much as I love Illinois (holding two degrees) I know Whitman's love and passion for the university is greater.

I think he will give the coaches a fair chance to succeed and not just replace them because he is the new AD. Personality wise he strikes me similar to Groce. Cubit and Hartlieb (baseball) also strike me as go getters that can succeed with the new AD.