Is Rob Judson next?

Depending on which local news report you read or hear, Rob Judson is destined to be Illinois State Redbirds next Basketball Coach.  People high in the ISU Athletics Office at last account have stated that no decision has been made.

Rob is not an unfamiliar face amongst Illinoisans.  He was an assistant at Illinois and Head Coach at Northern Illinois (74 - 101) before becoming one of Tim Jankovich's assistants at Illinois State 5 years ago.

Rob was instrumental in building the current Redbirds squad which returns all 5 starters next season and just may be the logical glue to hold the team together for a run at the Missouri Valley Title next season.

Be sure to stop by Alan Look Photography for more Photos of the Redbirds and the Coaches.

2012 NfL Draft and Tim Jankovich in the local news

It is almost time for the 2012 NFL Draft.  The first round will be picked on April 26th, 2nd and third on the 27th, and the remaining rounds on Saturday the 28th.

Click to see Alan Look's photographs of 2012 NFL Draft Prospects that cover eligible players who have played in Bloomington - Normal.

Tim Jankovich, Illinois State Redbird Basketball coach is once again in the news as a possible prospect for a coaching job at another institution of higher learning.  Several weeks ago it was reported that he was being considered at Tulsa and Kansas State.  News reports this week have him under consideration by Southern Methodist in Texas. 

Jankovich gets win 100

With a win at the Bracketbuster over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, Tim Jankovich broke into the triple digits on wins and arrived at number 100 with the Redbirds. The Redbirds, down from the start, made their way back with Jackie Carmichael leading the way. It was a couple put backs and a couple of three point shots by Jon Ekey however that seemed to wake up the 'birds.

One scheduled game left at home this season against the Missouri Valley Conference leaders, the Shockers of Wichita State and one away against Bradley before the dancing starts with the conference finals in St. Louis.


20120218 Oakland v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look

One has to wonder

in 2007 Illinois State Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger reached to his home state of Kansas to gather Tim Jankovich as a replacement for Porter Moser. Mosers tenure was tenuous at best and Zenger pulled the plug early on his 7 year contract. Best I can tell is Jankovichs contract is a 5 year contract with a rollover for extensions at the end of the term. That leaves him the remainder of this season and one more till the end of his first term.

The first 3 years were pretty decent. Jankovich was able to keep the best of the talent that Moser had discovered and added some transfers along with signing some other good talent. Now, O is absent. Dinma gone. Talented others are on board, but the Birds are 0-3 in the conference with Witchita State coming here on Friday with a record of 3-0 in the Valley tied for first with Missouri State. The season has been disappointing to say the least. Soft preseason play is responsible say some.

3 Days ago, Zenger takes a job back in Kansas. Who will take his place? Will they allow Jankovich to move on with his program that seems to be off the tracks? Will they be too busy settling in or working on other things to do an evaluation? I don't have the answers, but think the coaching situation at ISU will be a topic before the end of this season and certainly before the end of the next.

Don't get me wrong, I like Coach Jankovich and wish him and the team all the best but what else will be looked at? The talent is there but seems to be lack those things that make it click.


Tim Jankovich - Images by Alan Look