Slices of Tuna: Illinois is in good hands
Josh Whitman signs a massive extension. Plus, Steve Angeli is back. And New York takes center stage in the college football world.
We are 50 days away from the first Saturday of games, people.
50!
1. Illini take care of their man
I know I’m part of a “pod bump” team with The Independent, but does a “site bump” apply to The Inside Zone as well?
Josh Whitman agreed to a huge extension Thursday, three days after we sung his praises for his comments on governance. The Illini AD signed a 10-year deal that lifts his salary to $2.15 million, with eligibility for a yearly $500,000 retention bonus.
Good for him. He’s a former Illini tight end who believes in the place. He once told me he’s “not a polo shirt guy,” meaning he isn’t hopping from job to job and fighting for whichever logo he happens to be sporting at the time. I believe him, at least when it comes to the AD space.
Perhaps he ends up as Big Ten commissioner one day, or in some bigger position elsewhere. But it’s hard to argue with the guy’s work ethic or results, from hiring Brad Underwood, Bret Bielema and Shauna Green to raising a ridiculous amount of money.
Illini fans loved Whitman from Day 1, and they sure love him a decade later.
