CHAMPAIGN — On Tuesday evening, exactly five years after he was hired as the eighth coach in Illinois women's basketball history, Matt Bollant leaned against a fence at Judah Christian's Gene A. Salmons Field of Dreams, shouting words of encouragement to the girls playing soccer for the Tribe.
"Nice job, Joss!"
"Way to go, Regan!"
Two weeks ago, Bollant was fired by UI athletic director Josh Whitman.
So for now, while he anticipates what's next for him professionally, Bollant is a dad in the stands, motivating as best he can from afar.
"It's a lot more stressful being over here as opposed to coaching my own team," Bollant said.