Illinois' search for a new athletics director reached a new milestone Wednesday, when the school announced the hiring of search firm Korn Ferry to assist in finding the school's next AD.
“My hope all along was to identify a firm that had the experience and network to add value to our efforts,” chancellor Barbara Wilson said in the announcement. “Korn Ferry will play a crucial role in conducting an effective, comprehensive and confidential process of interacting with top-quality candidates for this vital and sought-after campus role.”
According to the announcement, Korn Ferry has been involved in searches for athletics directors and head football coaches at Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.
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The search process has reportedly been disjointed, disorganized and downright unusual. According to one report, candidates have been contacted via their university email addresses, vetting has been done in atypical fashion and interest has been impacted due to Wilson's interim status.
The hiring of a search firm seems to be something that should have been decided on a long time ago. Mike Thomas was fired as the school's athletics director back on Nov. 9, with Paul Kowalczyk named the interim athletics director. The school then waited almost a full month before announcing that the search for a replacement was underway. That was almost two weeks ago.
Just now, the school has opted to hire a search firm.