Illinois fires Bill Cubit

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

http://fightingillini.com/news/2016/3/5/cubit-dismissed-as-u-of-i-footb…

LOL.

Their new AD did this his first day on the job.

Their already-awful team will have spring practice delayed until they hire a coach per the release.

 

Illinois AD Josh Whitman fires head coach Bill Cubit on his first day on the job. Says stability was needed.

— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) March 5, 2016
MGoBoard

Wolverine In Iowa

March 5th, 2016 at 12:57 PM ^

Damn - I wish this had happened about two weeks ago before I ran into this guy at the store wearing an orange and blue "Muck Fichigan" shirt.  I asked him if he was an Illinois fan, and he said he was an alum, and then proceeded to make fun of Harbaugh (heh) and Michigan in general...oh the fun I could have had!

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 10767

Mpfnfu Ford

March 5th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^

But it was insane that they retained Bill Cubit in the first place. It's insane they didn't fire the old AD sooner, and either find an interim AD they could trust or hire a full time AD sooner so the head coach hire could be done on a better time table.

Honestly, hiring some NFL dude couldn't be worse than going back for another year of Cubit could it?

Joined: 05/19/2012

MGoPoints: 6469

trueblueintexas

March 5th, 2016 at 1:27 PM ^

Unless the new AD can announce he just hired an entire NFL staff or Nick Saban is coming with all of his coaches, this is just dumb. Fascinating use of the word stability.

Joined: 11/10/2008

MGoPoints: 36792

Mpfnfu Ford

March 5th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^

Retaining an interim coach you announce at the press conference that you know is shitty and not very good for another year before firing him?

Or firing him at earliest possible moment so you can hire someone you'll give 3-5 years to try to fix this crap?

I'd argue that Illinois AD is right in that his move is far more likely to acheive stability, even if he sounds crazy from a PR perspective.

Joined: 05/19/2012

MGoPoints: 6469

ghostofhoke

March 5th, 2016 at 3:28 PM ^

You're exactly right. I don't think it sounds crazy at all from a PR perspective. Take charge and pick a direction. Live and die with what that decision is so just do your best to get it right. Waiting another year doesn't help anything. This season is likely already written off so might as well let someone use to to create a new culture rather than put everyone through a lame duck year of people nobody respects



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 11/21/2014

MGoPoints: 8562

We are back

March 5th, 2016 at 4:07 PM ^

Don't even waste your time I was negged for having this same opinion, because most of these bloggers truly believe Michigan is the only school with tradition and the only school that matters. Why would any AD at any school want to win at football when they don't have a storied tradition like Michigan? They actually talk shit about a guy trying to improve his alma mater and the team he played for. I think I'll call my boss Monday and tell him we are not in the top 100 on the Fortune 500 list so I will not be going in to waste my time



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 12/17/2015

MGoPoints: 13419

WholeMilk

March 5th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^

I know there's plenty of antipathy for Maryland and Rutgers around here, but Illinois is almost like Rutgers-West these days. If they weren't a traditional B1G team I'd be inclined to jettison them before Maryland.

Joined: 08/25/2015

MGoPoints: 1816

BlueMk1690

March 5th, 2016 at 4:22 PM ^

fires coach in March. Doesn't make any sense. Your pool of candidates is pretty damn small at this time and you're basically saying you'll find your long-term coach now. Good luck with that.

Joined: 02/04/2011

MGoPoints: 12939

BlueMk1690

March 5th, 2016 at 5:45 PM ^

what you're on about. That information wasn't available when I made the comment and my comment reflects the general bemusement concerning the move. If they do hire Lovie Smith then that's what they do and it would provide an explanation for the move. If it all works out for them, we'll see.

Joined: 02/04/2011

MGoPoints: 12939

IlliniMichigan

March 5th, 2016 at 4:48 PM ^

Not sure it's going to happen but if Illinois got him, that would be great for the Big 10. Big time hire who would turn that program around. Absolutely no reason for Illinois to be as mediocre as its been since the early 1990's. The West could use some upgrade in talent all the way around.

Joined: 01/22/2016

MGoPoints: 33

Brown Bear

March 5th, 2016 at 5:05 PM ^

I'm not so sure as how Lovie Smith is a slam dunk hire. He hasn't coached in college for over 20 years. A lot has changed particularly in the recruiting game. He also isn't the most exciting personality. Very dull. Take this coming from a Bears fan.
He had an incredible defense for years and pissed away opportunity after opportunity to win more because he insisted on being a blah offense that was run heavy. Multiple bad offensive coach hire after another. Come to think of it he is the perfect hire for Illinois.
They will be decent but that's all Illinois will ever be at best no matter what



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 01/10/2011

MGoPoints: 38026

moetown91

March 5th, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^

have a chance with the Chicago inter city kids.  I live in Chicago and we was pretty well respected for his time with the Bears. Always had good defenses....

Joined: 12/05/2010

MGoPoints: 1811