I’m sure he is great guy but wouldn’t it be better to put someone in the position who is more connected to the Chicago area football scene?
I understand what you are saying, but this is just one of several positions they have with regard to high school relations and recruiting.
For instance, Terry Hawthorne of ESL is the Director of HS Personnel and Illini Relations. That was also a good hire, but because he was employed at ESL, NCAA regulations say that the Illini now can't sign an ESL kid until at least 2023.
So that is a consideration as well. You don't want to cancel yourself out of too many state football powers for the next few years. I don't know how many Chicago area guys with a pedigree similar to Ryan are not currently working at a city or suburban football legacy power. Lenti is the only one that comes to mind and I am not sure he wants to uproot to East Central Illinois right now.
I believe Pat was brought in to connect with high schools across the state, but he will be particularly effective in the Peoria, Bloomington, and Champaign areas I am sure. It sounds like each coach on staff has been assigned to have direct connection with approximately 50 in-state high school programs and Bielema himself has a heavy hand in a lot of in state recruiting.
I would look at this less as "well, they could have hired a Chicago guy" and more of "well this is just one more position as part of a full court press on Illinois high schools."
I personally am most pleased with the Bart Miller hire. He is a North Suburbs guy in his mid 30s who coaches the O Line and is very personable and has quite the motor. Hard not to like him. He is assigned to the Lake, McHenry, DuPage, and North Cook County high schools.
I think the assistant coaches (and Bielema) are they key to all of this and guys like Hawthorne and and Ryan are there to go a long way toward goodwill and fostering relationships, moreso than directly recruiting anyone.
