By Peter Bailey-Wells

Sports editor

Interim Illinois Chancellor Barbara Wilson announced that the University had selected an executive search firm to assist her previously chosen search committee with hiring a new athletic director.JT

The search firm in question is Korn Ferry, the world’s largest executive search firm, which has aided at administrative and head coaching selections at schools like Michigan, Virginia and Oregon.JT

“My hope all along was to identify a firm that had the experience and network to add value to our efforts,” Wilson said in a press release.

Paul Kowalczyk has served as the University’s interim athletic director since the Nov. 9 firing and buyout of Mike Thomas.JT

The search committee is chaired by professor Matt Wheeler JT and was expected to recommend a candidate at the Jan. 21 Board of Trustees meeting. However, in an interview with The Daily Illini’s editorial board, Wilson said she no longer expects a candidate to be announced Thursday.