He is Winthrops all-time winningest coach though.
Lewis the third?
He is Winthrops all-time winningest coach though.
What about a return of Lon? He hasn't stayed at a job for more than 6 years in his career...
Is there not any scenario where Donavon could be pried away from NBA and back to college? How much would it take? I'm sure it's beyond a long shot, but maybe something going on behind the scenes with him where he's tired of NBA guys. Seems college to NBA in coaching rarely works out, maybe we get lucky? I wish we know what our ceiling was in terms of $$$ to offer
If Mizzou and Illinois go after the same target, Mizzou will be the sad one at the end of the day.
Good luck assembling a competitive offer to Billy Donovan, seeing as he's making 6 million a year in OKC. Not going to happen.
I read an article a few months back where I guess Donovan is really worried about losing Westbrook to free agency which I think he will. That team isn't going anywhere so why stay there and coach a team that really has no shot of winning a title with the Spurs and Warriors in the way? I would definitely have JW kick the tires on Donovan to see if he throws some good $$ at him if he would leave the NBA? I doubt it but he has to explore it.
Wojo?
Coach K looks to be at 7.3 a year. Could we not offer a coach 6 over 5? 30 million investment not worth the possible rewards?
It would not be for Illinois.
He's making good money and if OKC adds a piece or two before Westbrook hits free agency again, things there could turn around quickly. Though OKC has a problem making a quick fix since it isn't much of a free agent destination. At any rate, if he leaves OKC, it will be for another NBA job or a higher level school than Illinois. He isn't jumping ship for a 50% pay cut and a struggling squad in Illinois. If he ever came back to college, he would have plenty of options and they would be either warmer weather, East coast, or Kentucky. If Cal leaves or retires at some point, Donovan is likely their first gauge of interest.
Well if donors want to yield all this power and scream to make changes, then pony up! I want Groce gone too, but all I ever hear about is donors and boosters and alums not being happy and threatening to withhold money. Well..... put up or shut up. Want a top 10 program, hire a top 10 coach and make him highest paid coach in BT and top 10 in country.
Waiting for S&C to suggest Rick Barnes now that the UK game is a final.
Is there not any scenario where Donavon could be pried away from NBA and back to college?
Not if that target is Cuonzo.
The issue with donors is that between the last renovation of Memorial Stadium, the new renovation of Memorial Stadium, and the SFC renovation, our athletic department has been hitting up our donors a lot. Managing those donor relationships is tricky and only JW and others at the top of DIA really know how much we can tap into for a new coach.
I think the only way we spend huge on a coach is if JW gets word that one of these big fish could be tempted. Then JW can go to donors with a specific name and a plan for wooing them.