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New Illinois AD hopes to restore lost identity, and to win

Posted February 18, 2016 6:00 am

By DAVID MERCER

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - New Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman believes the school's teams have lost some of their identity over the past year of problems.

Whitman said at his introductory news conference Thursday he hopes to help restore that. He also promised a room packed with fans and staff that he plans to win.

The 37-year-old former Illinois and NFL player takes over a program that has seen football coach Tim Beckman fired over allegations he mistreated players. Women's basketball coach Matt Bollant still faces a lawsuit filed by former players over their treatment. The last AD, Mike Thomas, was fired in November.

Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson says she knew during their first interview that Whitman should be the new AD.

Whitman will be paid $600,000 a year in base salary.

In this Sept. 11, 1999, photo, Illinois tight end Josh Whitman makes a touchdown reception against San Diego State in Champaign, Ill. The University of Illinois made it official Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, confirming reports that former Illini football player Josh Whitman is the school's new athletic director. (John Dixon/The News-Gazette via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT The Associated Press

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