Ilinois is "narrowing the field of candidates" for its AD vacancy, and top university administrators "will meet with potential hires" this week in Indianapolis, according to sources cited by Shannon Ryan of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Sources said that Illinois is "expected to interview at least three or four candidates and could make a decision by the end of the week." A source said that Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier "has been invited to interview." Additional sources indicated that Eastern Illinois AD Tom Michael and Washington Univ. AD Josh Whitman also are "under consideration." Ryan notes Michael played basketball at Illinois ('91-94) and "worked for 18 years in the school's athletic department." Whitman, 37, a former NFLer and Illinois alum, served as an assistant to former AD Ron Guenther in '07 and '08 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/30). In Illinois, Mark Tupper notes what the committee "has managed to keep secret is the status of two local 'favorites'" -- Colorado AD Rick George, who also is a former Illini football player, and Craig Tiley, the former Illini tennis coach "who just wrapped up his responsibilities" for the Australian Open as Tennis Australia CEO. Sources said that Memphis AD Tom Bowen also "has been vetted" (Bloomington PANTAGRAPH, 2/2).
STARTING OVER FROM SCRATCH: In Illinois, Bob Asmussen lists his "five priorities" for the new AD. First, "figure out basketball." Second, "reach out to people," as it "hard to imagine a worse year" for the fans. The AD "must bring them back," which "won’t be easy." The new AD also must "talk to as many fans as possible." When fans write or call, "listen to their concerns and try to fix any issues they have." In the first year on the job, the goal should be to "meet everyone in the state who considers themselves an Illini fan." Next on the list is to "work on football." Additionally, the new AD must "raise money ... lots of money." Finally, the new hire needs to "think ahead in the planning" of these priorities (Champaign NEWS-GAZETTE, 2/2).
