Ron Guenther

Ronald E. Guenther (born October 3, 1945) is the former American 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.[1]

Ron Guenther
Biographical details
Born (1945-10-03) October 3, 1945
Playing career
1965–1966Illinois
Position(s)Offensive lineman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1971–1974Boston College (OL)
1975–1978North Central (IL)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1988Illinois (interim AD)
1992–2011Illinois
Head coaching record
Overall22–12–2

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 the 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."[2] (Herman was later relieved of his duties after a scholarship scandal.)

Football

Men's basketball

Women's basketball

Women's volleyball

Men's tennis
  • Brad Dancer, 2006–current

Women's tennis
  • Michelle Dasso, 2006–current

Men's Track and Field
  • Wayne Angel, 2003–current

Wrestling
  • Jim Heffernan, 2009–current

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".[3]

Guenther has also been widely criticized by Illinois fans for the poor performance of the Illinois football team during his tenure.[4][5][6]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
North Central Cardinals (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) (1975–1978)
1975 North Central 5–3–15–2–12nd
1976 North Central 5–3–14–3–15th
1977 North Central 6–35–33rd
1978 North Central 6–35–3T–3rd
North Central: 22–12–219–11–2
Total:22–12–2

References
  1. "Fighting Illini Icon Ron Guenther Retires After 19 Years as Athletics Director". FightingIllini.com. May 16, 2011. Retrieved Nov 27, 2011.
  2. "BOT wants Guenther long-term". Daily Illini. July 12, 2006. Retrieved May 23, 2007.
  3. "Illinois AD yelled at coach, called player 'idiot'". March 21, 2007. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
  4. "Tate: I stand by my letter". IlliniHQ. Nov 9, 2009. Retrieved Dec 26, 2009.
  5. "Illini's Zook on Hot Seat". Chicago Sun-Times. Dec 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved Dec 26, 2009.
  6. "Illini Boosters: Zook Must Go". Peoria Journal-Star. Dec 11, 2009. Retrieved Dec 26, 2009.
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