Matt Bollant & Dani Teel

Today I was brought a present by Dani Teel. Dani does not completely get the concept of how to win over or bribe the coach with presents. Dani brought in an autographed picture of the new Illini women's coach, Matt Bollant. I think she honestly thinks she can convert me into an Illini fan.

Dani and her father Dan went down to meet the three new Illini coaches in Peoria last night. Dan was a manager for Big 10 Championship team of 1984. He is a huge Illini fan, and Dani is a huge Illini fan.



They are right in thinking the Illini have gotten a good coach. Matt Bollant has coached 10 years as a head college coach. At Bryan, in the NAIA, his teams went 134-36 for a .788 winning record. He then stepped it up even more at University of Wisconsin- Green Bay where in five years his teams went 148-19 for a .886 winning record. His teams have never won fewer than 25 games in a season- pretty impressive.

Personally, I am hoping Dani will become a manager for either the women's or men's basketball teams at Illinois. Her enthusiasm and willingness to work hard would make her a natural.