CHICAGO — Two-year contracts don’t exist in the world of college head football coaches.
Doing so at Illinois will be seen as either (1) a logical decision based on imperfect circumstances or (2) a kick-the-can choice by academicians and trustees unaccustomed to football’s nuances ... particularly as it pertains to recruiting.
Acquiring talent is the game’s No. 1 consideration. And long-term contracts are routinely handed out on the theory that the head coach can’t attract blue-chippers if rivals can point to his short-term status. So every new coach gets four or five.
This concern overlooks the fact that a lot of coaches will be gone before Bill Cubit’s two years are up, and a lot more won’t last their four or five years.