When I was in college, I dated a guy for about six months and I really liked him. That is until he dumped me on Christmas Day for a girl I couldn’t stand to be around. Not only did he break my heart, but he did it on a holiday, and he rubbed salt in my wounds by asking out the other girl on the same day. Here I am, six years later, and I feel like it’s happening to me all over again. I feel like I’m being dumped on Easter Sunday for the girl I can’t stand.

Illinois men’s basketball head coach Bill Self “dumped” the Illini for the Kansas Jayhawks after a three year relationship with the Illini Nation. I think that’s why it hurts more than when my boyfriend dumped me - this relationship was longer and it was shared by thousands who bleed orange and blue.

Losing to Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament last month stung, but we looked ahead to our future with Self and a top five recruiting class. Suddenly we’re left orphaned and wondering if our top five recruiting class will remain a top five or drop down to mediocre. We’re wondering if our new coach will love Illinois like we do or if he’ll just use it as a stepping stone before going to Kentucky or the NBA.

I’ll admit, I’m bitter right now. I wish I could be a “classy” fan and wish Self all the best at his new job, but I can’t. I couldn’t wish my ex-boyfriend a long, happy relationship with the new girl either. So, as I do with any breakup, I’m taking down my framed pictures with Self and I’m removing all posters and pictures that have been signed by him. I’m tucking them away in a little box I can hide in my closet or under my bed, and someday when my heart has healed, I’ll take out the box and remember all the good times we’ve had in the last three years with Self.

As with any breakup, I’m looking to my friends for support. We’ll probably go grab a few beers tonight and discuss who our new prospects are. Do we like Ernie Kent of Oregon? Tom Crean of Marquette? What about Xavier’s Thad Matta? Fortunately in this scenario, I don’t have a choice. If I did, I imagine it would be much like “The Bachelorette”, eliminating coaches until finally one proposes a lifetime marriage because that’s what I want right now. I want a coach dedicated to a lifetime at Illinois. I want a guy that bleeds orange and blue. I want a guy whose dream job TRULY is to coach at the University of Illinois. And I have every faith in Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther to get this done.

Within the next few weeks, we’ll be introduced to a new head coach, and we’ll welcome him with open arms. And we’ll look forward to that first matchup with Kansas. Go Illini!