Well, the new AD is a former Illini and was living across the river in St. Louis so my guess is he has a handle on the quality of coaching at his alma mater.
His resume shows that he swiftly and completely cleaned house at Wash. U. Even money says he does the same at Illinois. Wouldn't be surprised if the football coach doesn't make it to April. My guess is he bounces Groce after this season, not that Groce has done anything terrible.
And this AD, once hired, won't give two ***** about the chancellor's opinion of the coaches. It's his show. He'll raise big money and simultaneously transform the two revenue sports.
Bad for us.