Illini AD Josh Whitman Pleading For “Perspective” Toward Underwood’s Disappointments in March
Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman expresses high level of support for men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood and sees the program’s regular season numbers as his barometer of success.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
June 22, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- In his annual media roundtable discussion, Josh Whitman made it clear that his barometer of success with the men’s basketball program and head coach Brad Underwood will not be dictated by NCAA Tournament success or failure.
In his three-hour discussion that included a 70-minute introduction and a substantial Q&A on numerous topics, Whitman stressed that his assessment of the program and the record of the Illini’s X-year head coach will always be measured by performance from November to March and not just the final postseason tournament.
Illinois, under Underwood’s leadership, has been selected for three straight NCAA Tournament appearances but has failed to make it out of the first weekend of the postseason event since 2005 but Whitman made it very clear Wednesday afternoon that his assessment of the program’s health is a very high grade and expressed confidence in Underwood’s leadership going forward for future seasons.
