CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS — The University of Illinois’ newly announced Chancellor, Don Isbell, has unintentionally kicked off his tenure with a mild controversy — not over policy or funding, but over a facial expression.
When the Illinois Football Twitter/X account posted a June 10th photo welcoming Isbell to the university — with him standing beside head football coach Bret Bielema on the field — many fans noticed something missing: a smile.
“This guy can’t be bothered to give the faintest smile?” one user wrote on a popular sports message board.
“It’s honestly a little embarrassing. The photo of him in the same outfit not smiling on the big screen makes it worse,” added another.
“Probably Hates Athletics” — Sports Message Boards Light Up
Some fans took the unsmiling photo as a sign of detachment from the athletic department, a sensitive subject at a university where college football carries massive cultural weight.
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“Probably hates athletics lol,” one post speculated.
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“He’s getting paid nearly $1 million by the state to represent the University. He can smile when he meets our football coach at midfield,” another poster added.
The tone ranged from sarcastic to sincerely irritated, with several users suggesting the Board of Trustees should’ve added “smile for photos with Bielema” to Isbell’s job expectations.
Not Everyone Agrees — Some Say It’s a Non-Issue
Amid the criticism, a few users offered perspective, noting that some people simply don’t smile for photos, and that reading too much into it might be unfair.
“My old man was the same way. Is there more to this guy? I don’t know about that because it can’t be that big of a deal,” one user wrote.
Still, in the world of college sports optics, especially in Big Ten football territory, public image matters — and first impressions with the fanbase can stick.
Who Is Chancellor Don Isbell?
Don Isbell was formally named Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earlier this month. He steps into the role during a time of rising tuition debates, athletic conference realignment, and nationwide scrutiny of university governance.
So far, the university itself has not commented on the fan response to the now-viral photo.
Photo Still Live On Social Media
The original tweet from @IlliniFootball is still live, with the image featuring Isbell in a dark suit and no visible smile while standing with Coach Bielema at Memorial Stadium.
The post reads:
“Newest member of the. Welcome home, Chancellor Isbell!”
Whether the photo will be remembered as an awkward moment or a minor distraction remains to be seen.
Does A Smile Matter In University Leadership?
Do you think public perception is fair when it comes to photos like this? Should the Chancellor have smiled to connect with fans — or is this outrage over nothing? Join the conversation now on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
