Illinois Fighting Illini

Saturday was a great day for the Fighting Illini! Thank you so much for the amazing atmosphere you created at the Assembly Hall. You started the day by creating one of the loudest and most energized scenes in the history of ESPN College GameDay. Digger Phelps and Rece Davis both singled out the Orange Krush for creating an electric environment for the national television audience. Our students, band, cheerleaders and Illinettes deserve special recognition for making Illinois look outstanding during the broadcast. I can't thank you enough.

With an 8-3 record, Illinois is tied for second place in the Big Ten standings with Tuesday's opponent, Wisconsin, as well as Ohio State. All three teams trail Michigan State by one game. In facing No. 11/13 Wisconsin, Illinois plays its second of four-consecutive games versus Top 25 opponents.

University of Illinois head football coach Ron Zook announced today the hiring of Ron West as the final addition to the Illini staff, bringing with him 30 years of collegiate coaching experience. Zook also made two other announcements naming tight ends coach Greg Nord recruiting coordinator and adding the title of Assistant Head Coach to offensive line coach Joe Gilbert.

With the Class of 2010 just now in the books, the class of 2011 is already turning heads and the first ranking of the Scout.com 150 has some major names with offers from around the country.

Mitchell Henry, 2011 prospect Elizabethtown, KY, has garnered attention from several major programs. He is a standout on both sides of the ball, but his offensive production will likely make him a tight end prospect. The 6-5 and 240 pounder is a three-sport athlete who has earned awards at the region or state level in all three sports.

College basketball coaching is a rigorous profession. It requires long hours, tireless effort and mental toughness to withstand all the down times. Like myriad others, Illinois assistant Gary Nottingham wants to be a head coach. Competition is fierce, and the criteria used to hire coaches are often skewed by the whims of those in charge. Many super coaches go unnoticed.