| Ron Guenther | |
| Birth Date: | 3 October 1945 |
| Player Years1: | 1965–1966 |
| Player Team1: | Illinois |
| Player Positions: | Offensive lineman |
| Coach Years1: | 1971–1974 |
| Coach Team1: | Boston College (OL) |
| Coach Years2: | 1975–1978 |
| Coach Team2: | North Central (IL) |
| Admin Years1: | 1988 |
| Admin Team1: | Illinois (interim AD) |
| Admin Years2: | 1992–2011 |
| Admin Team2: | Illinois |
| Overall Record: | 22–12–2 |
| Awards: |
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Ronald E. Guenther (born October 3, 1945) is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois from 1975 to 1978, compiling a record of 22–12–2. Guenther was the athletic director at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1992 until he retired on July 1, 2011.[1]
Guenther is a graduate of the University of Illinois, having earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1967 and an M.S. in administration in 1968. Guenther also played football at Illinois, lettering in 1965 and 1966 as an offensive lineman as well as being named second-team All-Big Ten and the team MVP in 1966. While at Illinois, Guenther was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman was quoted in July, 2006 as saying: "If he's not the best AD in the country, I want to know who is." and "He does a wonderful job of bringing in great coaches and building a team that understands what athletics is and needs to be about."[2] (Herman was later relieved of his duties after a scholarship scandal.)
Guenther came under fire for an outburst during the 2007 NCAA Tournament, calling an Illini player an "idiot".[3]
Guenther has also been widely criticized by Illinois fans for the poor performance of the Illinois football team during his tenure.[4] [5] [6]