Not blaming Whitman at all actually but if your slogan is #wewillwin and you let losing happen consistently it sends a message, pretty simple actually. I love whitmans message and direction just think that we delaying the inevitable by keeping Groce because of recruits. Tired of watching blowouts.....
2017 Coaching Carousel
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Not blaming Whitman at all actually but if your slogan is #wewillwin and you let losing happen consistently it sends a message, pretty simple actually. I love whitmans message and direction just think that we delaying the inevitable by keeping Groce because of recruits. Tired of watching blowouts.....
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
I don't necessarily agree with your assessment of Martin, but even if I did, holy F where can I sign up for some mediocrity?
You realize how far we are from that right now, right?
Tony Bennett is not coming to Illinois. That is like dreaming about Shaka Smart or Brad Stevens. Bennett would be awesome because his teams are defensive-minded and grinders, which would fit perfectly in the B10. I have a lot of respect for what he's done, but he's got it good over there.
Archie Miller and Chris Mack would not make the jump due to relationships they have with John Groce/Thad Matta coaching tree. I'd like to see Matta come but he wouldn't do that even though he's from Illinois.
My top choices would be:
Gregg Marshall---he can be enticed for the right money. Mark Turgeon before him took the route of Texas A&M and then Maryland. Illinois is just as good of a job as either of those two.
Scott Drew---yes, his coaching is questionable but he is a fantastic recruiter and he rebuilt and resurrected that Baylor program. They were a complete mess and now they are arguably the best basketball school in that state. I was at the Kansas-Baylor game last February and that school doesn't know how good they have it. Their fans were not as raucous or enthusiastic as what we can offer.
Andy Enfield---his name doesn't get brought up much but he would really bring the run'n'gun offense to our school and he has gotten USC back on the map. I haven't watched any USC games this season so I'm not sure how they are defensively but Illinois would have a definite identity with him. Also, I'm sure he would be able to recruit.
Cuonzo Martin---not the sexy hire, not the biggest name, but he has proven himself in Tennessee and now at Cal to not only be a competent coach but someone who can actually recruit now. He would be able to make major in-roads in Chicago w/being African American and having those Midwestern roots. I would take him over what we have now.
Archie Miller and Chris Mack would not make the jump due to relationships they have with John Groce/Thad Matta coaching tree. I'd like to see Matta come but he wouldn't do that even though he's from Illinois.
My top choices would be:
Gregg Marshall---he can be enticed for the right money. Mark Turgeon before him took the route of Texas A&M and then Maryland. Illinois is just as good of a job as either of those two.
Scott Drew---yes, his coaching is questionable but he is a fantastic recruiter and he rebuilt and resurrected that Baylor program. They were a complete mess and now they are arguably the best basketball school in that state. I was at the Kansas-Baylor game last February and that school doesn't know how good they have it. Their fans were not as raucous or enthusiastic as what we can offer.
Andy Enfield---his name doesn't get brought up much but he would really bring the run'n'gun offense to our school and he has gotten USC back on the map. I haven't watched any USC games this season so I'm not sure how they are defensively but Illinois would have a definite identity with him. Also, I'm sure he would be able to recruit.
Cuonzo Martin---not the sexy hire, not the biggest name, but he has proven himself in Tennessee and now at Cal to not only be a competent coach but someone who can actually recruit now. He would be able to make major in-roads in Chicago w/being African American and having those Midwestern roots. I would take him over what we have now.
Dakich just threw the Illini out there as possible the 2nd worst team in the Big Ten. So that's nice...
The Galloping Ghost 77
- Wheaton, IL
Cuonzo Martin would hopefully lock down the Metro East as well. Do you think he would take the IL job if offered? It would be tough to pass up Cal job.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
He would. Probably in under 5 minutes.
Illini1221
Peru,IL
I'd throw Jeff Capel in there.
Dan Dakich just said during the Michigan Wisconsin game that we're the second worse team in the Big Ten other than Rutgers. At first I thought he was crazy but when they went through the teams he's actually probably right.
Quite a level up from that, in fact. Unless you're taking about Shaka and Stevens right now. Probably still a level up. Bennett is one of the premier coaches in college full stop.
I think he would. The only reason he left Tennessee which is because he felt the pressure and knew he didn't have the backing from the administration. Cuonzo's roots are in the Midwest and the B10. I don't mind taking on another Keady disciple and I think it would be nice for the Illini to hire another minority head coach. It can really help send a message to young kids in the Chicago area. Look, what does it tell you that Charlie Moore went all the way out to California? He trusts Martin. That's what Martin can bring. If I remember right, players like Josh Richardson are now in the NBA having played under Cuonzo Martin. Harris may have played under Pearl as well, not sure.
Be hard to find a more perfect fit for Cuonzo.
He will take the Illinois job in a heartbeat. The Cal AD is basically a smoldering crater right now. More importantly he really really really wants to be in the midwest.
I would say no to Jeff Capel. We've seen what he can do when he was at Oklahoma and he was a fairly mediocre coach. He can thank Blake Griffin for his one deep tournament run he had.
hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
Are we sure we'd win at Rutgers?
I doubt that will come to pass, but if it does, that will make this decision very simple indeed.
Stevens took 2 BUTLER teams to the Championship game. What are you talking about? Bennett is great but Stevens was/is the boy genius.
That shouldn't be your main measuring stick for a potential replacement.
Bennett throws haymakers with Coach K and Roy and all the rest. He's not Cinderella, he's the Big Bad Wolf.
People keep mentioning Chris Mack. I think we have a better shot at Mick Cronin, who is a better coach to boot.
He's gotta stop wasting his life in the AAC at some point, right? Alma mater or not.
I also really wonder whether Greg McDermott is a possibility.
He's gotta stop wasting his life in the AAC at some point, right? Alma mater or not.
I also really wonder whether Greg McDermott is a possibility.
Jordan McRae, Josh Richardson, Jaylen Brown are NBA players who have played under Cuonzo. He also had Tyrone Wallace drafted last year, a probable lotto pick this year in Ivan Rabb and another will be draftees in Jabari Bird.
Maybe it's not fair to them, but I'm not as high on Marshall and Miller right now. Their teams are not performing as well as they have in the past. I really like Will Wade from VCU. He might too young though. Really hope Hoiberg is thinking about a return to the college game. A man can also dream about Billy Donavon.
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