Josh Whitman Named 14th Illinois Athletics Director

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#151      
Dan
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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#153      
Illinnoying Orange
I think this can be a great hire.

In the midst of all the !!!! and chaos we have been through the past few years with our two biggest revenue sports, we needed to get a very smart, energetic person who had a strong passion for Illinios athletics (football and b-ball in particular).

I was never fully on board the Tiley boat. Tiley is phenomenal with any and all things tennis related ... But I'm not sold on the idea that he would've been able to bridge the gap into also being great at managing and handling hiring/firing of football and b-ball coaches.
 
#154      
BillyBob1
Maybe he can tell Cubit to get the tight end involved in the offense!
 
#155      
Deleted member 569417
Illinnoying Orange said:
But I'm not sold on the idea that he would've been able to bridge the gap into also being great at managing and handling hiring/firing of football and b-ball coaches.
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Why are you sold that Whitman will be great at managing and handling hiring/firing football and b-ball coaches vs Tiley?
 
#156      
Illinnoying Orange
JiroDreamsOfMcRibs said:
Why are you sold that Whitman will be great at managing and handling hiring/firing football and b-ball coaches vs Tiley?
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I may be simplifying things, but I'm more sold on it because he played D1 football, he has a pulse on the NFL, he has been an AD and had to manage those two sports (as well as all others), he seems to have very good support from at least football alumni from what I hear and he's sharp as a tack.

I admit I may not know a ton about Tiley ... And I'm sure he's a very bright guy too ... But I don't know anything he's done outside of tennis.
 
#157      
breadman
Congrats Josh!! After making your wish, you are now truly B1G!!!
And just so you know, there are no take backs on this wish. This is a one time deal. So says Zoltar!!
 
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#158      
1970 John
Epsilon said:
Why not, all of NY's trash goes there.

Edit: I meant it literally, NY sends its trash to NJ. Just wanted to clarify, bc this comment may hit a bit too close to home for some of our B1G comrades...
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Ah, NY, sends its trash as far west as Indiana. :eek: I live off I-80 in Pennsylvania and see truck after truck of "municipal waste" heading west. And New Jersey doesn't necessarily keep it in-state either.
 
#159      
1970 John
NFL player

So, you're a high school football player and some school has a genuine NFL player as it's AD. That has to be worth something when it comes to recruiting. :thumb:
 
#161      
CoalCity
I'm looking forward to being blown away by the presser tomorrow morning. I love that phrase "unspeakable pride" that he used. THAT's why we preferred an Illinois guy. I think his decision making will be well considered and bold. GO ILLINI!

:chief: :hailtotheorange: :ms:
 
#162      
illini80
Let the new era begin. It will be interesting to see where things stand 13 months from now. I think the main thing is, we seem to have hired a quality guy that may need to grow into the job. So there may be mistakes that we would be wise to suffer along with rather than the inevitable calling for his head if the potential changes don't pan out. Sadly, I'm getting older every day waiting for the Great Turnaround.
 
#163      
UIUC1867
Will it be a beard or no beard for tomorrow? :)
 
#165      
Hoppy2105
Does anyone have Mike Thomas' letter to Illinois fans upon his hiring? Maybe something to compare Josh's with?
 
#166      
Fillory
CoalCity said:
I'm looking forward to being blown away by the presser tomorrow morning. I love that phrase "unspeakable pride" that he used. THAT's why we preferred an Illinois guy. I think his decision making will be well considered and bold. GO ILLINI!

:chief: :hailtotheorange: :ms:
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Honestly, I couldn't care less what he says. Hire the right people and run the DIA without any major scandals and we're good.
 
#168      
cmore
Hoppy2105 said:
Does anyone have Mike Thomas' letter to Illinois fans upon his hiring? Maybe something to compare Josh's with?
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Wasn't Thomas's basically a cut and paste of his letter when he was hired at cincy?
 
#169      
TheBucket
cmore said:
Wasn't Thomas's basically a cut and paste of his letter when he was hired at cincy?
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I recall this to be the case... Will look back to see if I can pull it.

Some quotes from MT's first (or early - unclear) presser:


#illini AD Mike Thomas said he'd obviously like to see sellouts at Memorial Stadium but that all starts with winning.

AD Mike Thomas said he will be "key" person in scheduling football games "in conjunction with the football coach."

AD Mike Thomas talked about adding "Chicago piece" to football schedule. Would like to play team that makes geographic sense.

AD Mike Thomas said he'd minimally want six home games on football schedule. Seven could include Chicago game. 8 would be expensive

AD Mike Thomas said he hasn't put much thought into bringing back #Mizzou fball game but has heard great things about bball game

AD Mike Thomas said he's "glad I'm in the Big Ten" and that he had "great heartburn" in Big East during conference realignment.

AD Mike Thomas called Assembly Hall renovation a "priority" and that it's "got to happen." 1st meeting on project will be this week

After saying he wants to be "king of Chicago" #illini AD Mike Thomas said #DePaul AD Jean Ponsetto told him she wants to be queen of Chicago
 
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#172      
chiefhaunting
Biggest thing I gleaned from his letter is this. He's literally married to Hope. That can't be a bad thing.:D
 
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