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REPORT: University of Illinois down to 2 finalists for Athletic Director

Will it be Josh Whitman or Patrick Chun?

By Jim Vainisi
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

According to multiple reports, the University of Illinois has narrowed their athletic director search to two final candidates: Washington University's Josh Whitman, and Florida Atlantic's Patrick Chun. Illinois Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson recently stated that the school hopes to announce a final hire by the end of the month.

Whitman, the current AD at D-III Washington University, was a standout tight end on the Illini football team during his collegiate years while earning academic All-American honors in 1999. He went on to enjoy a four-year professional career in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins.

Whitman began his career in athletics administration while attending law school at Illinois, where he served as the Assistant to the Athletic Director from 2007-08 and Coordinator of Special Projects from 2005-07. Whitman was also involved in numerous aspects of the athletic department's operations, including development, marketing, sports information and communications, internal operations, and student-athlete programs.

Chun has been Florida Atlantic's AD since 2012. Prior to that, though, he spent 15 years at Ohio State, where he rose from student worker to Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Relations. In that role, his primary function was fund-raising and the Buckeyes saw revenue jump every single year he was there.

UPDATE (8:40pm)

According to Mark Tupper, they may be as many as two more previously unnamed finalists that don't have any prior connection to Illinois.

So, basically, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. If it isn't painstakingly obvious by now, we're not going to know anything concrete until a final hire has been announced.