New U of Illinois athletic director possible by end of month

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - University of Illinois interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson now says the school hopes to name a new athletic director by the end of February.

Robin Kaler is a spokeswoman for the flagship Urbana-Champaign campus. She said Wilson made the statement Thursday in response to a question after a talk to local business leaders about the status of the state budget and other university issues.

The university is looking for a replacement for Mike Thomas. He was fired Nov. 9.

University President Timothy Killeen said last month that a new athletic director might be hired by the end of January.

Killeen is the top official over all three university campuses. Wilson is the top official in Urbana-Champaign and would be the new athletic director's boss.