By The Associated Press
CHAMPAIGN — On the same day new University of Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman fired football coach Bill Cubit, he issued a vote of confidence in men’s basketball coach John Groce, praising his leadership and making clear he will continue in the position.
Whitman fired Cubit on Saturday, saying the program needs a new coach to work toward long-term success.
Whitman says in a news release he appreciated Cubit’s work as interim coach last season after the firing of Tim Beckman.
Cubit told The Associated Press on Saturday he was stunned by the news. He was hired as the permanent head coach in November and received a two-year contract. Cubit says Whitman didn’t provide a specific reason for the decision.
The Illini finished 5-7 last season under Cubit. He took over when Beckman was fired a week before the season began amid allegations of player mistreatment.
Whitman was hired as AD last month to replace the fired Mike Thomas.
Groce has been under pressure from fans who are unhappy the team will miss the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season — Illinois’ biggest NCAA drought since 1978-80. Illinois (13-17, 5-12 Big Ten) is also facing its first losing season since the 2007-08 team went 16-19.
“I think it’s important today that folks understand that John Groce is going to continue to be our basketball coach,” Whitman said on WDWS-AM radio. “He’s a first-class individual and an excellent leader. He’s a student of basketball and leadership and I feel really comfortable with the leadership he’s given our guys.”
Whitman’s remarks came shortly before he fired Cubit, who was interim coach last season and was made the permanent replacement in November, receiving a two-year contract.
The basketball team made the NCAA Tournament in 2013, Groce’s first season, but has done no better than the National Invitation Tournament since.
The Illini have dealt with a string of injuries this season. Starting point guard Tracy Abrams missed the entire season with a torn Achilles tendon, and forward Leron Black and center Mike Thorne Jr., both starters, have missed most of the season.
Groce’s teams have also struggled with off-court problems, too.
Black has pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault after allegedly threatening a bar bouncer with a knife last month. Darius Paul was kicked off the team last summer after he was arrested in France on a team trip. And two players were suspended for multiple games last season for unspecified team-rules violations.
Groce was hired in 2012 after taking Ohio on an NCAA Tournament run. Illinois’ final regular-season game is Sunday at Penn State.
