Well, the most questionable hire in college football this year won’t even get to prove himself on the field, it seems. FightingIllini.com recently released that newly-hired coach Bill Cubit will not be returning as football coach next season, even though he was hired on a two-year contract before the final game of the year against Northwestern.
New Athletic Director Josh Whitman said:
“I appreciate the leadership that Bill Cubit provided our football program during what has been, unquestionably, a very tumultuous time,” Whitman said. “He accepted the challenge on an interim basis under incredibly difficult and unusual circumstances, and he has continued to work diligently for the betterment of our student-athletes. Through his efforts, he has kept the program moving forward. Bill is a good man and a good football coach. All of us in the Illini Nation owe him a debt of gratitude for his work leading our team these last months. At this juncture, however, I think it is most important that we position our program for long-term success by creating a more stable environment for the coaches, players, and prospective student-athletes.”
So now what? Who do we hire? Are there even any football coaches left? Hopefully Whitman has a plan, but I must admit, I’m not that sad to see Cubit go. Things can’t go anywhere but up now, right?