The job Bielema has done with football seems a good model. In-state HS player, played college in a neighboring state, and he's spent time building relationships with HS coaches to improve in-state talent acquisition.

In softball, travel relationships are more important than HS. I'd think you want someone who could develop strong relationships with Bandits, Chill, IP and IMG to start. You're not going to get kids to come to ILL, at least not now, from California and Florida. (Or, Hawaii, when I believe the previous HS spent some recruiting time...)

There is enough talent in Illinois to be competitive, and their facilities are quite good. It's a great academic school, and it's a P4 job (albeit B1G is probably the 4th P).

An up and coming mid-major coach or P4 assistant is the likely route. You're not going to get another P4 HC to take this job, and maybe many mid-majors...