What I thought is what I got.
The department has invested large amounts of resources in facilities, scholarships and coaches in our Olympic sports. The inability to host NCAA competition would have an unbelievably negative effect on our programs.
That's not fair, ... I can see why there could be paranoia. You think you have to go faster.
I think Ron learned a lot from his experience at Florida. I'm not a big rules guy, but there are things about discipline, structure and academic standards that you have to have straight from the start. Ron knows how Illinois works, and it's never the coach that changes the coach but the school that changes the coach.
We discovered, we investigated and we acted strongly and decisively with all parties involved. This is a perfect example of how a student-athlete in need can form a relationship with an individual outside our control and without our knowledge, and then accept benefits that should not have been accepted.
You think you're doing a great job. All of a sudden, you're released. We know pressure. You have to win. But I've articulated to our people, 'You've got time.' I'm interested in building a solid program.
I continue to tell my coaches, 'You're building a program, not a team,' .
Paula Smith has been an outstanding coach and an exceptional representative for the University of Illinois.
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