In February 2016, the University of Illinois made a pivotal decision by hiring Josh Whitman as the 14th athletic director, a move that would shape the future of the school’s athletic programs. Whitman, a former Illini tight end from 1997-2000 and a special assistant to the AD earlier in his career, wasted no time making significant changes. In his first year, he fired football coach Bill Cubit and basketball coach John Groce, replacing them with Lovie Smith and Brad Underwood, respectively. Though their early seasons were challenging, both coaches set the foundation for a promising future.
Lovie Smith, a big-name hire, was expected to elevate Illinois football, but after just one bowl game in five years, Whitman decided to part ways and bring in Bret Bielema. In his four years, Bielema has achieved better results than most of his predecessors, including leading the team to a No. 14 ranking in 2022, the highest since 2011. This year, Bielema’s team is ranked 24th in the country and 25th in the College Football Playoff rankings, on track to reach multiple bowl games for the first time since 2011.
Underwood, meanwhile, has revitalized Illinois basketball, a program that had struggled for years. Prior to his arrival, the team had only made three NCAA tournament appearances in the previous decade. Underwood’s leadership has led the Illini to regular appearances in the AP Top 25 and a No. 2 ranking in 2021, the highest since 2005. Underwood’s tenure has also included a Big Ten regular-season title, two Big Ten Tournament championships, and an Elite Eight appearance.
In 2022, Whitman also hired Shauna Green as the head coach for women’s basketball. The program, which hadn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2003, has flourished under her leadership, reaching March Madness for the first time in two decades and consistently ranking in the top 25. This year, the team is off to a strong start, with a win over No. 19 Florida State and a current ranking of 22nd.
Josh Whitman
These accomplishments represent a remarkable turnaround for Illinois athletics, with all three major sports teams ranked at the same time. This achievement has occurred twice under Whitman’s leadership, and it’s the first time since 2000 that all teams have been ranked simultaneously. In addition to these coaching hires, Whitman’s decision to allow alcohol sales in the stadiums marked a bold move that significantly impacted the University of Illinois. Given these transformative decisions, it’s time to consider a statue in his honor.
