February 2, 201610 yr The seven interviewees are Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier, Eastern Illinois AD Tom Michael, Division III Washington University AD Josh Whitman, Central Michigan AD Dave Heeke, Florida Atlantic AD Patrick Chun, Maryland deputy AD Kelly Mehrtens and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley. Per Shannon Ryan and the Tribune. Have to believe they're all in on Tiley. As I've been saying in the other threads it's the whole reason they've delayed this hire. He'd be well worth the wait though. An A+ hire so I'm waiting to see how we screw this up. The other candidates are almost all a joke.
February 2, 201610 yr If Rick George still isn't interested (am I the only one feeling like it's crazy he keeps getting mentioned? Is he really wavering or something?) and Tiley is interested then he's the clear choice. Wrap it up now.
February 2, 201610 yr Author I'd prefer Tiley to George so I'm glad he seemingly passed. But I agree I think it's weird he's still being brought up in some way. If he was the hire I certainly would not complain either. Both guys head and shoulders above the rest of the candidates.
February 2, 201610 yr Yea I'm pretty much in alignment there, Frazier would be meh, Whitman would be exciting in that he's the right kind of guy but nerve wracking with that experience, everyone else on that list is puke worthy.
February 2, 201610 yr Author QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Feb 2, 2016 -> 04:57 PM) If it's not Tiley, Tiley wasn't interested. There isn't a better choice. What worries me is I think his current gig might be better than our job. But if he's flying 24 hours to interview he's got to be interested(not sure if it is in person). The timing too makes sense. The Austrailian Open just wrapped up and now we finally have some news on this whole search.
February 2, 201610 yr QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 2, 2016 -> 05:03 PM) What worries me is I think his current gig might be better than our job. But if he's flying 24 hours to interview he's got to be interested(not sure if it is in person). The timing too makes sense. The Austrailian Open just wrapped up and now we finally have some news on this whole search. Rumor has it his wife wants back to the states.
February 3, 201610 yr When they hire an AD and a new coaching staff at some point, count me in for the recruiting coordinator.
February 3, 201610 yr QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 2, 2016 -> 04:56 PM) I'd prefer Tiley to George so I'm glad he seemingly passed. But I agree I think it's weird he's still being brought up in some way. If he was the hire I certainly would not complain either. Both guys head and shoulders above the rest of the candidates. I don't think it's all that weird. He's been the guy everybody connected to the process wanted all along, to the point where some donors apparently thought they could hand deliver him to Illinois. It seems like a lot of people are unwilling to give up their wishful thinking. I agree with you that Tiley > George, though. Considering his real world success at turning things around and the fact that he'd be a preferred candidate of major boosters, one would have to think he's about as ideal of a candidate as Illinois could get.
February 7, 201610 yr Tiley is out of the running per Shannon Ryan, we're going to be stuck with Tom Michael aren't we? If we do I seriously may take a prolonged break from all Illini athletics, it would be just about the worst we could do.
February 7, 201610 yr QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 7, 2016 -> 01:45 PM) Tiley is out of the running per Shannon Ryan, we're going to be stuck with Tom Michael aren't we? If we do I seriously may take a prolonged break from all Illini athletics, it would be just about the worst we could do. It makes you long for the days of Ron Guenther. Illinois is a big university that has acted like a small D3 for a few years now.
February 7, 201610 yr QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 7, 2016 -> 12:45 PM) Tiley is out of the running per Shannon Ryan, we're going to be stuck with Tom Michael aren't we? If we do I seriously may take a prolonged break from all Illini athletics, it would be just about the worst we could do. I'll hold out hope for now, but the letter from Dee Brown sure seems like the AD hire might be underwhelming. Rumors still out that Khan is pushing for George though.
February 7, 201610 yr QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Feb 7, 2016 -> 01:50 PM) It makes you long for the days of Ron Guenther. Illinois is a big university that has acted like a small D3 for a few years now. Uh no, Geunther did some decent things but man he ran the department and top basketball/football programs into the ground. We need someone who can get some donors behind them but also run a athletic department for for 2016 and beyond, and hopefully hire some good coaches.
February 9, 201610 yr QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 9, 2016 -> 09:28 AM) Sounds like it's down to Whitman and Michael, praying for Whitman. Sources the past few weeks were one of two things: "George denied us again, but he's still listening" and "Whitman has really impressed." I think smart money has been on Whitman all along.
February 9, 201610 yr Author QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 9, 2016 -> 09:28 AM) Sounds like it's down to Whitman and Michael, praying for Whitman. Doesn't sound like Michael ever really was in it according to the premie board. Sounds like Whitman or outside chance of Tiley.
February 9, 201610 yr Is Tiley really being considered still? I mean I would love that but rumors kept saying that had ended.
February 9, 201610 yr QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 9, 2016 -> 09:56 AM) Is Tiley really being considered still? I mean I would love that but rumors kept saying that had ended. Yeah, it sounds like they were waiting on a firm no from George before going all out on Tiley.
February 9, 201610 yr Author QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 9, 2016 -> 09:56 AM) Is Tiley really being considered still? I mean I would love that but rumors kept saying that had ended. The main scout guy doesn't seem to know. Says they only called once but then sort of backtracked on that. I agree with the sentiment that George is finally out. Full court press on Tiley now and Whitman will always be there.
February 15, 201610 yr So latest is George and Tiley are out and rumor right now is that Groce is probably safe for another year. f***ing ridiculous and I'm about ready to cut bait on Illinois athletics altogether. Not worth my time until the university shows they give a f***.
February 15, 201610 yr QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Feb 15, 2016 -> 12:01 PM) So latest is George and Tiley are out and rumor right now is that Groce is probably safe for another year. f***ing ridiculous and I'm about ready to cut bait on Illinois athletics altogether. Not worth my time until the university shows they give a f***. Jeremy Werner reporting that the final 2 are Josh Whitman and Patrick Chan
February 15, 201610 yr QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Feb 15, 2016 -> 12:01 PM) So latest is George and Tiley are out and rumor right now is that Groce is probably safe for another year. f***ing ridiculous and I'm about ready to cut bait on Illinois athletics altogether. Not worth my time until the university shows they give a f***. They haven't in awhile and probably never will. This has been obvious since Thomas was fired in November with no actual plan in place. And, truth be told, the signs have been there for a long time if you really wanted to see them. At some point they will hire a coach who wins a few games, though.
February 16, 201610 yr QUOTE (gatnom @ Feb 15, 2016 -> 01:55 PM) They haven't in awhile and probably never will. This has been obvious since Thomas was fired in November with no actual plan in place. And, truth be told, the signs have been there for a long time if you really wanted to see them. At some point they will hire a coach who wins a few games, though. This.
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