One coaching search has ended in the Big Ten, and it’s in Champaign, Illinois. The athletic department released the following today:
*
The University of Illinois announced today Bill Cubit and the school have agreed to a two-year agreement making Cubit the Head Football Coach, pending approval by the U of I Board of Trustees.
“Bill has stepped in during an extremely difficult period and done an outstanding job in leading our football program since August,” Interim Athletics Director Paul Kowalczyk said. “Our student-athletes have responded in a positive manner and we feel he is the best person at this time to be the head coach. We wanted to allow Bill to make decisions regarding the program as the head coach without the interim title, and lead the Fighting Illini into Saturday’s game without speculation.”
Cubit was named interim head coach on Aug. 28 and has led the Fighting Illini to a 5-6 record in 2015. Illinois needs a victory Saturday at Soldier Field to become bowl eligible. The extension will keep the length of his contract at two years and pay Cubit $1.2 million per year.
“During the past three months, Coach Cubit has led this team with a steady and experienced hand,” Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson said. “He has earned respect and appreciation from all of us. This move will allow the permanent Athletics Director to evaluate the program at his or her own schedule and make decisions based on those evaluations once that search is completed.”
Cubit joined the Illinois staff as offensive coordinator in January 2013 before being named interim head coach in August. He has a career head coaching record of 90-70-1 including stints at Widener (34-18-1 from 1992-96) and Western Michigan (51-46 from 2005-12).
*
There are sure to be more movers and shakers in the coaching profession as we go forward, but at least one domino has not been toppled via all the interim Illini brass, and it certainly makes sense to stay with the status quo with all the turmoil and uncertainties within the university and athletic program.
Phil Harrison is a contributor to The Student Section. He is also the founder of Big10news.com and featured contributor to collegefootballews.com, talking10.com, and occasionally campusinsiders.com. You can follow him on twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB or email him at pharrison28@gmail.com. If that doesn’t work, you can find him in the doghouse at home.
