Even a broken clock is right when it predicts that the hiring process at Illinois will be a drawn-out, excruciating tire fire. Does anyone over the age of four (or however long its been since we last went through this) expect anything else?
The Illinois AD Search
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I've only followed Illinois as long as I've been a student here (out of state), so as an honorable four-year old, no
Well, friends, let us then gird our loins for what's about to happen. We've got two, possibly three of these episodes to get through in the coming months. History has shown that they tend to get a bit rocky, and that was before the University administration self-imploded. Think point guard recruiting but condensed into 3-4 weeks and with higher stakes.I've only followed Illinois as long as I've been a student here (out of state), so as an honorable four-year old, no
illynifan34
That's a winner!!
- OH
Pretty sure Weber has been paid and I'll assume the "Illinois budget impasse" is about the state government which has no bearing on the DIA.
Hope whoever we get is ready to hire HCs in both major sports
Redfoxdogs
- Gurnee, IL
I am beginning to have a very bad feeling about this whole AD/coach thing after feeling mildly positive a few weeks ago. Maybe it's just basketball freaking me out? And the MN game? I think I need to stop following for a while.
frankfortillini
- Frankfort, IL
The only way it works is if we get lucky with a newcomer or relative unknown.
ijustkrushalot
- Iowa Corridor
I don't know if he's a viable long-term AD... but if we can't get an AD hired, uh, by Friday, we need to have him hire the football coach, it's not ideal but other schools have done this before. I'm worried we're going to be in a situation where we're adrift for 3 weeks not looking at football coaches because the AD is vacant.
I think we should look for a coach and tell him you'll be on the search committee for AD.
ijustkrushalot
- Iowa Corridor
we potentially massively screwed the pooch by firing Thomas in early November instead of early/mid October at the latest.
We'll find out soon enough how much pain and suffering we set ourselves up for by doing that.
PaytonHighstep
- Downers Grove, IL
Well, that just makes too much sense.
That's the nightmare scenario. This carousel is going to move FAST.
You must be new to this whole Illini fan thing. Kowalczyk hired two really good coaches at SIU. Therefore he is no longer qualified to lead our athletic program.
Haven't you heard? We HAVE to get Rick George!!!!
We need an AD that can spot talent. Clearly, Paul Kowalczyk has proven more than capable to do that. I think you are spot on. Wayne191. Let's sign him up.
IlliniOX08
- Bucktown, Chicago
Yep. And we'll probably have to continue to do that until we find leaders that realize the importance of athletics.
And if that means that the BOT has to be completely turned over then lets hope for that too. I'm at the point where I think the message has to be loud and clear from everyone at the top that success in athletics goes hand-in-hand with properly running an elite public university. Also that success does not hinder but enhances the academic experience for non student-athletes.
Maybe Craig Tiley aught to be the President of the University. Find a competent, moderate, well-rounded Chancellor. Pray that's enough to convince a real AD (maybe Rick George, maybe not) to sign up. Get a real football coach. Get a high level basketball coach who can recruit and develop talent. One can dream I guess.
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Is anyone else sort of amazed at the complete silence following the small flurry of rumors about us chasing George last weekend? Now that George is off the market, there's been absolutely nothing coming out about what the next step is. As discussed above, we don't even know if they plan to do the AD or FB coach search first.
I assume Kowalczyk and/or Wilson is going to have to hold a press conference next Monday or Tuesday to address what happens next, but I honestly have no idea what they might say:
(1) We're letting Cubit go and starting a coaching search
(2) We're making Cubit the permanent coach
(3) We're starting a search, Cubit is included as a candidate
(4) Nothing will happen until we hire an AD - we've got an in-house committee doing a search
(5) Nothing will happen until we hire an AD - we've hired Parker Executive Search to conduct the initial search (ugh)
(6) Football hire will come first (by Kowalczyk), then the FB coach will have some input on AD
(7) Wilson names herself AD and Kowalczyk football coach, then drops mic
I honestly have no idea what to expect. And that's not exactly inspiring confidence. Hopefully there's more activity behind the scenes than we know.
I assume Kowalczyk and/or Wilson is going to have to hold a press conference next Monday or Tuesday to address what happens next, but I honestly have no idea what they might say:
(1) We're letting Cubit go and starting a coaching search
(2) We're making Cubit the permanent coach
(3) We're starting a search, Cubit is included as a candidate
(4) Nothing will happen until we hire an AD - we've got an in-house committee doing a search
(5) Nothing will happen until we hire an AD - we've hired Parker Executive Search to conduct the initial search (ugh)
(6) Football hire will come first (by Kowalczyk), then the FB coach will have some input on AD
(7) Wilson names herself AD and Kowalczyk football coach, then drops mic
I honestly have no idea what to expect. And that's not exactly inspiring confidence. Hopefully there's more activity behind the scenes than we know.
Amazed is a much happier word than the one I would use.
:tsk::tsk::tsk::tsk::hurl:
andrewridgely
A
Guest
The complete silence likely and unfortunately means what we fear it means: there is no plan.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
What's talked about on a message board typically doesn't represent what's actually happening.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I expect #3. That way, if no one will touch the job, they can keep Cubit while saving face for both sides. Though, they can do a complete search.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
+infinity
I don't know why we are worried, I found our search committee...
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