The next Illinois basketball coach
March 10, 2012 11:12 AM
Many fans are clamoring for Smart and, according to one close source, Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas is clearly targeting him. And, heavenly sent, they're both right and on the same page. He needs to be the No. 1 target. He needs to be 1A, 1B and 1C. Yes, he is the hot mid-major coaching name, but it's more than that. This isn't about winning the press conference, which this hire would do, or about the catchy name or hiring a minority. This is about hiring the best, most realistic candidate that has superstar potential.
Will people and "experts" have concerns or questions? Sure. Handing out that kind of dough and security to a coach at Smart's age with just four years of head coaching experience under his belt is, pretty much, unprecedented. And then there is the system. As fun and entertaining as it is to play in that style as a player and watch as a fan, it's rarely ever been done in the tough, rugged, grind-it-out Big Ten.
Joe Henricksen
Will people and "experts" have concerns or questions? Sure. Handing out that kind of dough and security to a coach at Smart's age with just four years of head coaching experience under his belt is, pretty much, unprecedented. And then there is the system. As fun and entertaining as it is to play in that style as a player and watch as a fan, it's rarely ever been done in the tough, rugged, grind-it-out Big Ten.
Joe Henricksen
Filed under: Illini Basketball
