Wikipedia / Ron Guenther
Wikipedia / Ron Guenther
Ronald E. Guenther (born October 3, 1945) is an American former football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois from 1975 to 1978, compiling a record of 22–12–2. Guenther was the athletic director at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1992 until he retired on July 1, 2011.
Education and playing career
Guenther is a graduate of the University of Illinois, having earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1967 and an M.S. in administration in 1968. Guenther also played football at Illinois, lettering in 1965 and 1966 as an offensive lineman as well as being named second-team All-Big Ten and the team MVP in 1966. While at Illinois, Guenther was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Administrative career
University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman was quoted in July, 2006 as saying: "If he's not the best AD in the country, I want to know who is." and "He does a wonderful job of bringing in great coaches and building a team that understands what athletics is and needs to be about." (Herman was later relieved of his duties after a scholarship scandal.)
Coaches hired
Football
Ron Turner, 19972004
Ron Zook, 20052011
Men's basketball
Lon Kruger, 19962000
Bill Self, 20002003
Bruce Weber, 20042012
Women's basketball
Theresa Grentz, 19952006
Jolette Law, 20072012
Women's volleyball
Don Hardin, 19962009
Kevin Hambly, 20092017
Men's tennis
Craig Tiley, 1993-2005
Brad Dancer, 2006current
Women's tennis
Michelle Dasso, 20062015
Men's Track and Field
Wayne Angel, 20032009
Wrestling
Jim Heffernan, 20092021
Facility construction
Atkins Tennis Center
Reconstruction of Memorial Stadium
Pending decision to renovate Assembly Hall or build a new basketball arena, expected in early 2009
Criticism
Guenther came under fire for an outburst during the 2007 NCAA Tournament, calling an Illini player an "idiot".
Guenther has also been widely criticized by Illinois fans for the poor performance of the Illinois football team during his tenure.
Head coaching record
References