Wayne McClain to K-State

Dan · Oct 1, 2012, 08:06 PM

Wayne McClain to follow Bruce Weber at Kansas State in some new position they've created, to be announced this month.

Quote:

McClain went underground after Illinois fired basketball coach Bruce Weber in March.

According to sources, McClain's severance package with Illinois was a six-month deal.

Supinie

Klee talks McClain (and the other former Weber staff) at 8:50 mark-

Quote:

News Gazette Sports Page 10-1-12

http://www.wdws.com/audio/2012-10-01...e-10-1-12.html

illinicb · Oct 1, 2012, 08:27 PM

I'm not sure if its fair, but my initial reaction is that WM/BW was just waiting around for the money from UIUC to stop then throw the switch to KSU. In business, if you identify someone you really want, you hire them and make up the financial package. If you don't the message is "I like you, but not enough to pay for you".

Wokker · Oct 1, 2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Wayne McClain to follow Bruce Weber at Kansas State in some new position they've created, to be announced this month.

Klee talks McClain (and the other former Weber staff) at 8:50 mark-

:laugh:Motion Coordinator perhaps??

Illini70math · Oct 1, 2012, 09:30 PM

McClain has been a major contributor to UI basketball for quite a while including long before Weber, and he and Sergio are a big part of the Illini family (as well as a great high school coach in Illinois). One reason he may have stayed around is to see if he could finish out his career at UI in some capacity in the Athletics department. Obviously that didn't work out.

Good luck to Wayne as he closes out a long career. He contributed in many ways to a lot of great moments for Illini and Illinois basketball fans at many levels.

AzIlliniFan · Oct 1, 2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illini70math

McClain has been a major contributor to UI basketball for quite a while including long before Weber, and he and Sergio are a big part of the Illini family (as well as a great high school coach in Illinois). One reason he may have stayed around is to see if he could finish out his career at UI in some capacity in the Athletics department. Obviously that didn't work out.

Good luck to Wayne as he closes out a long career. He contributed in many ways to a lot of great moments for Illini and Illinois basketball fans at many levels.

I don't doubt for a second that this is what happened. I'm sure he had every intention to transition into retirement by working for UI in some capacity. We've seen it hundreds of times where a coach thinks he'll wander off into the sunset and finds out afterwards that he isn't ready to walk away just yet and comes back. I appreciate his contributions to the Illini and I wish him luck at KSU.

Illini B-Ball Fan · Oct 2, 2012, 03:33 AM

Better known for his memories of 3 straight Peoria Manual HS state championships with Sergio, Marcus, and Frank, he was most certainly part of our '05 NC run, as well. Best to you, Wayne.

Letswinagain · Oct 2, 2012, 05:00 AM

Coach McClain spent his life in Illinois as a basketball coach. He coached great teams and many special players. By all accounts, he was a good man and a good person. I'm glad he will end his career in a coaching capacity, working with men who like and respect him.

The Illinois basketball legacy was enriched by his contributions. I wish him and his family happy and productive times in Manhattan.

wpr · Oct 2, 2012, 06:43 AM

All the best to Coach McClain. Thanks for all you have done for Illinois basketball at the HS and college level.

WiskyIllini · Oct 2, 2012, 07:43 AM

I am surprised by this move. He is fully capable of taking the reigns at least at a high level DII school or even a lower end mid-major.

Big10Man · Oct 2, 2012, 10:22 AM

Best of luck to Coach McClain. Always liked and respected him.

OlivetNaz · Oct 2, 2012, 10:29 AM

I ran into Wayne and his wife more than a few times around town. Genuine people who would tell you exactly what they thought. I have much respect for the both of them.

I wonder if their kids plan to stay in Champaign. Both of them work for Unit 4.

HoopBoss · Oct 2, 2012, 11:51 AM

Good Luck to you Coach McClain. I'm surprised you're following Bruce, but hope you do well there.

I really do.

However, if things DON'T go well ............ I think you'll look back and wish you didn't. But at your age (over 30), I don't know if it really matters as long as YOU are happy and it works for you and your family.

I always wondered if you were the man behind the man.

The Galloping Ghost 77 · Oct 2, 2012, 03:57 PM

Might be tough getting recruits out of Peoria now that Wayne's back in the game.

wpr · Oct 2, 2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Galloping Ghost 77

Might be tough getting recruits out of Peoria now that Wayne's back in the game.

I don't know. Bruce doesn't have a sterling record that will automatically entice players. Being the main team in the state still has some advantages. Groce will have a shot at them for a few years.

blmillini · Oct 2, 2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Galloping Ghost 77

Might be tough getting recruits out of Peoria now that Wayne's back in the game.

:laugh:

youlikeroses · Oct 3, 2012, 12:24 PM

What is Jay Price doing?

Dan · Oct 3, 2012, 01:32 PM

Officially official.

Quote:

Weber Adds McClain, Promotes Lowery on Staff

Wayne McClain will be school's director of student-athlete development

"Obviously, I have a lot of familiarity with Wayne from our time at Illinois," said Weber. "He is one of the most successful coaches in the history of Illinois basketball at both the high school and college levels. With a staff as young as ours, I wanted to add someone with significant knowledge and experience who would be a mentor to them as they grow in the profession. He has also coached a lot of great players and will be a great resource for our players."

http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/m...100312aaa.html

URH Snyder 490 · Oct 4, 2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illini70math

McClain has been a major contributor to UI basketball for quite a while including long before Weber, and he and Sergio are a big part of the Illini family (as well as a great high school coach in Illinois). One reason he may have stayed around is to see if he could finish out his career at UI in some capacity in the Athletics department. Obviously that didn't work out.

Good luck to Wayne as he closes out a long career. He contributed in many ways to a lot of great moments for Illini and Illinois basketball fans at many levels.

+1. Wayne and his family have done a lot for this University. I wish him well

prodigy2 · Oct 7, 2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illini70math

McClain has been a major contributor to UI basketball for quite a while including long before Weber, and he and Sergio are a big part of the Illini family (as well as a great high school coach in Illinois). One reason he may have stayed around is to see if he could finish out his career at UI in some capacity in the Athletics department. Obviously that didn't work out.

Good luck to Wayne as he closes out a long career. He contributed in many ways to a lot of great moments for Illini and Illinois basketball fans at many levels.

I concur..

Bock · Oct 8, 2012, 01:07 PM

Good for him. I wish him & Weber all the best except if they play the Illini

Sure Shot · Oct 8, 2012, 02:56 PM

Just thought of this: Can we now finally put to bed the seemingly invincible "Wayne was only hired to get the Manual guys" thing? Not that it wasn't totally bunk all along, but this would seem to put the nail in the coffin.

illinoisportsfan · Oct 8, 2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

Just thought of this: Can we now finally put to bed the seemingly invincible "Wayne was only hired to get the Manual guys" thing? Not that it wasn't totally bunk all along, but this would seem to put the nail in the coffin.

You'll never get some people (Indiana fans, Kansas fans, etc.) to stop repeating and/or believing that ridiculous story -- just like some people still cite, "Deon Thomas got $80,000 and a Chevy Blazer to come to Illinois" like it was a proven fact.

Oct 1, 2012, 08:27 PM	#2
illinicb Location: Northbrook Posts: 5,754	I'm not sure if its fair, but my initial reaction is that WM/BW was just waiting around for the money from UIUC to stop then throw the switch to KSU. In business, if you identify someone you really want, you hire them and make up the financial package. If you don't the message is "I like you, but not enough to pay for you". __________________ "I could care less" does not mean the same as "I couldn't care less"

Oct 2, 2012, 06:43 AM	#8
wpr Location: Northern frontier of Illini Country Posts: 4,327	All the best to Coach McClain. Thanks for all you have done for Illinois basketball at the HS and college level. __________________ One does not simply walk into Mordor.

Oct 2, 2012, 10:29 AM	#11
OlivetNaz Location: East Central IL Posts: 4,088	I ran into Wayne and his wife more than a few times around town. Genuine people who would tell you exactly what they thought. I have much respect for the both of them. I wonder if their kids plan to stay in Champaign. Both of them work for Unit 4. __________________ "If life were logical, men would ride side-saddle."

Oct 1, 2012, 09:30 PM	#4
Illini70math Posts: 1,655	McClain has been a major contributor to UI basketball for quite a while including long before Weber, and he and Sergio are a big part of the Illini family (as well as a great high school coach in Illinois). One reason he may have stayed around is to see if he could finish out his career at UI in some capacity in the Athletics department. Obviously that didn't work out. Good luck to Wayne as he closes out a long career. He contributed in many ways to a lot of great moments for Illini and Illinois basketball fans at many levels.

Oct 2, 2012, 03:33 AM	#6
Illini B-Ball Fan Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 170	Better known for his memories of 3 straight Peoria Manual HS state championships with Sergio, Marcus, and Frank, he was most certainly part of our '05 NC run, as well. Best to you, Wayne.

Oct 2, 2012, 05:00 AM	#7
Letswinagain Location: On the midwestern prairie Posts: 156	Coach McClain spent his life in Illinois as a basketball coach. He coached great teams and many special players. By all accounts, he was a good man and a good person. I'm glad he will end his career in a coaching capacity, working with men who like and respect him. The Illinois basketball legacy was enriched by his contributions. I wish him and his family happy and productive times in Manhattan.

Oct 2, 2012, 07:43 AM	#9
WiskyIllini Location: Wisconsin Posts: 72	I am surprised by this move. He is fully capable of taking the reigns at least at a high level DII school or even a lower end mid-major.

Oct 2, 2012, 10:22 AM	#10
Big10Man Posts: 238	Best of luck to Coach McClain. Always liked and respected him.

Oct 2, 2012, 11:51 AM	#12
HoopBoss Posts: 562	Good Luck to you Coach McClain. I'm surprised you're following Bruce, but hope you do well there. I really do. However, if things DON'T go well ............ I think you'll look back and wish you didn't. But at your age (over 30), I don't know if it really matters as long as YOU are happy and it works for you and your family. I always wondered if you were the man behind the man.

Oct 2, 2012, 03:57 PM	#13
The Galloping Ghost 77 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 64	Might be tough getting recruits out of Peoria now that Wayne's back in the game.

Oct 3, 2012, 12:24 PM	#16
youlikeroses Posts: 250	What is Jay Price doing?

Oct 8, 2012, 01:07 PM	#20
Bock Posts: 6	Good for him. I wish him & Weber all the best except if they play the Illini

Oct 8, 2012, 02:56 PM	#21
Sure Shot Banned Posts: 1,912	Just thought of this: Can we now finally put to bed the seemingly invincible "Wayne was only hired to get the Manual guys" thing? Not that it wasn't totally bunk all along, but this would seem to put the nail in the coffin.