2017 Coaching Carousel

[OrangeAndBlues]

I should also be clear that I'm no insider at all. I just happened to stumble upon someone that gave me info about Sean M. I passed that info onto a Chicago sportswriter I'm familiar with. He was skeptical himself, so he talked to this member of the Illini media group (also skeptical). The media group guy asked around and found out the interest is legit (both ways).

I'd still say it's highly unlikely anything comes of it. At the least, I think it shows that Whitman is shooting for the stars with this hire.

Ah, interesting. Thanks for the follow up.

In that case, I'm ALL ABOARD!!! Since it's still secret, can it be the Sean Miller submarine?

 

[illynifan34]

I'd probably agree that Sean Miller is unlikely (I've also heard Carolina is seriously interested when Ol' Roy retires), but I passed along my source's info to another source with ties to the Illini media group. They did some digging around and were surprised to hear the info is correct and Miller *might* have interest as well. Still unlikely, yes. But not a 100% farce from what I've heard.

If Sean Miller "might" have had interest last year why is John Groce the coach this year? It doesn't add up to me. He might have been contacted and said no, I could believe that.

 

[Bear8287]

While I chuckled, it isn't really a fair comparison. Kansas is a blue blood. South Carolina isn't. Weber had no prior experience failing at the high D1 level when we hired him. He obviously did when K-State took him.

:thumb:

Oh there's absolutely nothing fair about that whole comparison whatsoever.

I just thought that it was funny how only changing Martin to Self and KState to Illinois would make that whole statement happen.

 

[sacraig]

:thumb:

Oh there's absolutely nothing fair about that whole comparison whatsoever.

I just thought that it was funny how only changing Martin to Self and KState to Illinois would make that whole statement happen.

Forgive me. I'm operating on very little sleep since last week and only one cup of coffee today.

 

[Bear8287]

Forgive me. I'm operating on very little sleep since last week and only one cup of coffee today.

Hey, if you forgave me for doing it in the first place then we're all good. :thumb:

 

[golferjohn1970]

Who is actually realistic?

If we're talking about sure-fire coaches to be successful, Bennett and Sean Miller fit those bills. Frank Martin, etc. can be solid candidates without being sure-fire just because they are a top candidate on our board. Pretty simple. My expectations are VERY tempered as a firm rider of the Keatts and Archie hype trains. In my mind, those are my top, realistic candidates. Feel free to read my post history on this thread. I also encourage you to read other posts in the thread, Sean Miller's name had come up within 20 posts of your comment asking where that came from, so...

I agree with Lurk who is an actual realistic target and also how long does everyone think it will take to hire the next coach? Does it depend who it is and if that person is in the tourney more likely? I say it takes about 3 weeks depending exactly when JG gets the axe?

 

[LurkLongandProsper]

I agree with Lurk who is an actual realistic target and also how long does everyone think it will take to hire the next coach? Does it depend who it is and if that person is in the tourney more likely? I say it takes about 3 weeks depending exactly when JG gets the axe?

I would put it at less than 2 from the firing, accounting for my faith in JW. I think he understands the importance of getting it done quickly for the sake of finalizing/confirming the members of the 2017 class (either affirming commitments of our current 4 or adding/replacing targets)

 

[illynifan34]

I would put it at less than 2 from the firing, accounting for my faith in JW. I think he understands the importance of getting it done quickly for the sake of finalizing/confirming the members of the 2017 class (either affirming commitments of our current 4 or adding/replacing targets)

That just depends how long Keatts is coaching really.

 

[golferjohn1970]

I would put it at less than 2 from the firing, accounting for my faith in JW. I think he understands the importance of getting it done quickly for the sake of finalizing/confirming the members of the 2017 class (either affirming commitments of our current 4 or adding/replacing targets)

Didn't it take like 3 weeks to hire Groce as he was in the Sweet 16 of the tourney in 2012? I agree that JW will want it to be done quickly but it may take some time depending who he targets and how quickly he narrows down his candidates. Do we think he has two lists maybe a top 3-4 with Sean Miller and Marshall types then another list of 4-5 mid-major guys like Archie and Keatts?

 

[LurkLongandProsper]

Didn't it take like 3 weeks to hire Groce as he was in the Sweet 16 of the tourney in 2012? I agree that JW will want it to be done quickly but it may take some time depending who he targets and how quickly he narrows down his candidates. Do we think he has two lists maybe a top 3-4 with Sean Miller and Marshall types then another list of 4-5 mid-major guys like Archie and Keatts?

Sure, NCAAT would certainly play a factor (I didn't even include that difference in end-of-seasons in my thinking, honestly, too used to reading about football coaching searches). But either way, I think we'd probably start to pick up on some thick smoke relatively quickly. 2-3 weeks seems realistic, seeing as it would likely be dismissal early the week after BTT with NCAAT starting that week as well.

 

[golferjohn1970]

Sure, NCAAT would certainly play a factor (I didn't even include that difference in end-of-seasons in my thinking, honestly, too used to reading about football coaching searches). But either way, I think we'd probably start to pick up on some thick smoke relatively quickly. 2-3 weeks seems realistic, seeing as it would likely be dismissal early the week after BTT with NCAAT starting that week as well.

Sounds about right does JW have to wait to announce it until after the coach is done in the NCAA tourney? Is he willing to wait for the right guy? The good thing about the tourney is only 3 weeks long so not much wait. How about everyone list of 6-8 coaches and %'s of them getting hired?

 

[EthanM]

I hope that Frank Martin isn't a realistic option, considering our recent experience with abusive coaches. I've talked to SC boosters that said he's a great guy behind the scenes. The flip side of that though is that he's a hot head on the court. I was right behind his bench at a couple of games a few years ago, and watched the guy coach up close. He's verbally abusive towards his players and we just don't need that. Some of the quotes were funny, but not repeatable here on the board.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[golferjohn1970]

I'll be daring and go first here they are!! I think JW kicks the tires on Marshall and a few others but they turn him down.


1. Archie Miller (Dayton) - 40%
2. Keatts (UNCW) - 25%
3. Dooley ( FGC)- 10%
4. Ben Jacobson (UNI)- 10%
5. McCall (UT Chatt)- 5%
6. Amaker (Harvard)- 5%

 

[Tygor]

I fully expect Illinois to make the NIT, so the gap of losing the first round there and the NCAAT is one less week. I'm thinking the gap would need to be super small for the great recruiting class we have coming in in trying to keep as many as possible.

 

[golferjohn1970]

NIT bound?

I fully expect Illinois to make the NIT, so the gap of losing the first round there and the NCAAT is one less week. I'm thinking the gap would need to be super small for the great recruiting class we have coming in in trying to keep as many as possible.

If they get to 7-11 in the B1G then they will get an NIT berth most likely more likely if they get to 8-10 but I don't think they can get to 8 wins and I think 7 is pushing it? I think they beat Minnesota at home even if they split with NW best case and beat Penn State at home that is only 6 wins. They should be able to beat either Iowa or Rutgers but both on the road so hard to call that a lock.

 

[FollowTisdale]

Sounds about right does JW have to wait to announce it until after the coach is done in the NCAA tourney? Is he willing to wait for the right guy? The good thing about the tourney is only 3 weeks long so not much wait. How about everyone list of 6-8 coaches and %'s of them getting hired?

Kevin Keatts - 100%
Dan Muller - 10%
Bruth Weber - (10%)

 

[golferjohn1970]

Add Muller to the list?

Kevin Keatts - 100%
Dan Muller - 10%
Bruth Weber - (10%)

I wouldn't put him over Archie or Keatts but how about Muller from ISU? They are 18-4 and in 1st place in the Valley. If they win that tourney and go to the NCAA tourney maybe consider him? He has improved every year which I like to see.

 

[dmac279]

I'm confused why Bennett and Sean Miller's names are being thrown around for our next coach? I find it hard to believe they can view Illinois as an upgrade to the teams they are coaching now. Can someone fill me in on how either of these two are a possibility? Obviously I would love to see either one of these two take over this program next year.

It's called potential

 

[Whitman2020]

 

[golferjohn1970]

What is that saying good bye to Groce?

 

[ilsosbob]

Kevin Keatts - 100%
Dan Muller - 10%
Bruth Weber - (10%)

Who is Bruth Weber?
Dan Müller might be a good choice but we're trying to hold onto some very good recruits and I'm not sure his status is high enough.
Kevin Keats might be ok.

 

[ilsosbob]

I fully expect Illinois to make the NIT, so the gap of losing the first round there and the NCAAT is one less week. I'm thinking the gap would need to be super small for the great recruiting class we have coming in in trying to keep as many as possible.

Will not make the NIT

 

[jmilt7]

The average fan has stopped paying attention entirely.

:thumb:

 

[jmilt7]

I'm not going to go through the 100+ pages since I visited this last, but what would people think of Lon coming back? It seemed that he left on good terms, taking a job at the top level that didn't work out. His program kinda hides away at OU behind the football team, but it's usually solid. I think he would consider coming back if we came calling.

Obviously not the age of a coach we'd be interested in hiring, but it's a familiar name that might bring old fans back. Thoughts?

Personally, I would love it. I still think he was the best coach we had, at least in recent memory. But you kind of answer your own question. He will be 65 at the beginning of next basketball season. He played at K-State so he has ties to the Big 12 and probably feels at home there. (He and Weber should switch schools ) And I think it would just be too much work to get this Illini program going again at this stage of his career.

 

[sacraig]

It's called potential

Potential is a reasonable argument with Bennett but not with Miller. Arizona his plenty of basketball history and is, at times, a borderline blue blood. I'd be incredibly surprised if he was willing to jump ship. The only real question would be whether his AD leaving for Alabama makes him uneasy at all.