2017 Coaching Carousel
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OrangeAndBlues
- Indianapolis
Keatts IS Josh Whitman. AD Hire:Basketball Hire::Josh Whitman:Kevin Keatts
I've done it. It's over, Keatts
Hype Train pulling into the station March 27th!Folks can say whatever about Volleyball v Football/Hoops, but the Chris Tamas hire for Volleyball is not at all of the mold some folks had assumed Whitman would utilize for his hires here. No previous HC experience, really young guy. Sample size expands! This is not to say he's going to hire Keatts at all, but those being dismissive because he's not a Lovie Smith esque hire now have a bigger sample, and it seems he pursues his perceived best fit rather than just following a checklist.
The one thing we can say is that the interviewees, etc. were all under wraps the entire time. Silence for a few weeks and then a hire.
The one thing we can say is that the interviewees, etc. were all under wraps the entire time. Silence for a few weeks and then a hire.
A Bennett hire would be fantastic and gives him a chance to start walk in his father's shoes in the conference. Remember, he grew up in Wisconsin and bleeds midwest. There's probably a good chance he's wanted to come back to the Big Ten to do what his father did, just skipping the UW-Stevens Point and UW-Green Bay stops along the way 
The thing working against us is that I believe Bennett has already turned down Indiana back when they hired Creen. I would think the IU job is a bigger deal than us, but that was almost ten years ago. He's going to be successful wherever he goes, I'd rather him be successful here than somewhere else
The thing working against us is that I believe Bennett has already turned down Indiana back when they hired Creen. I would think the IU job is a bigger deal than us, but that was almost ten years ago. He's going to be successful wherever he goes, I'd rather him be successful here than somewhere else
No, it means he has clearly changed his style and now will hire an assistant coach from within the conference to be the next basketball coach.
Hey, we our 2nd data point this morning.
The thought that we know what Whitman is going to do based on a single hire is simply laughable. That could have easily just been an opportunity that just happened to present itself and was too good to pass up as much as anything. I trust that Whitman will make a well informed hire based on which candidate he believes will give us the best chance to win, regardless where that candidate comes from, and I don't think he will make the choice out of fear.
I'm not sure it will be a money issue. Virginia would be able to match anything Illinois might offer so I think it will be all about location, in my opinion. If it were Wisconsin, I think he would probably leave in a heartbeat... Illinois, not so much but you have to ask.
you're right, what was I thinking I agree. But now we have an actual case where he made a hire from the entire opposite end of the spectrum for one of our premier programs, so more of a 'foundation' (still an incredibly small sample size, but I digress) upon which to evaluate. I don't think this really changes our pool, but we can now comfortably be less dismissive of candidates from lower levels. The biggest hurdle for him to hire Keatts, Musselman, etc is going to be selling the boosters that they are the best man for the job (I don't think he NEEDS them to pay a Keatts or Musselman type, but still), and that is certainly something I think he can do.
So you're personally or professionally acquainted with him well.enough that you know this about his personality?
He's already won two conference championships at UVA, so I don't think he particularly cares if he isn't perceived as top dog, his results can do the talking.
I think that's an overspun narrative for coaches, honestly. It's probably more true at the mid-major level (my mind goes immediately to Randy Bennett who has a gargantuan task trying to beat Gonzaga for titles while at freaking St Mary's), but the difference in facilities, support, etc isn't worlds apart for Tony Bennett at UVA vs his ACC foes unlike it is for Randy Bennett vs Gonzaga.
midastouch11
- New York, New York
He could have had the Wisconsin job last year...Virginia is a pretty sweet gig now that it's up and running. Bennett really doesn't have any incentive to leave there for anything short of a true blue blood school and salary.
I didn't remember him having a shot at the Wisconsin job. If he passed up Wisconsin, why on earth would he come to Illinois?
Okay it looks like Bennett is making about 2.1 million and signed for 4 more seasons and the buyout is 1.4 million. Like I said it will take a deal around 3 million per year and paying the buyout to even start that conversation. Is this guy a top 10 coach right now? I saw two articles that have him in the 9-12 spot but ahead of a few guys like Pitino and Mark Few who I think are better coaches overall. I saw if you can get Bennett do it just not sure its realistic.
The Wisconsin job never officially hit the market as I recall. Bo Ryan stepped down mid-season and Gard took over and did well after initially stumbling. Gard finished the year 11-2 or something and made the Sweet Sixteen, good enough to give him the reins. Now, if the argument is that Bennett could have come in and said "I want the job" and didn't, that's tough to say. If that job went public, I'm sure he would have been contacted and he would probably have gone. Seeing that the program is in good hands (Gard is likely going to win the conference title this year), he could definitely see that the job will not open for a long time.
I'm honestly not sure how much Bennett wants to leave, but Wisconsin isn't going to come calling anytime soon barring scandal or a collapse, neither of which really happens there.
I'm honestly not sure how much Bennett wants to leave, but Wisconsin isn't going to come calling anytime soon barring scandal or a collapse, neither of which really happens there.
midastouch11
- New York, New York
Bennett was contacted about the Wisconsin job last year, and that's not just conjecture. Alvarez wanted him bad, that's why Bo Ryan made the power play and that's why even after Gard proved himself to be awesome they still took some time to officially hire him.
3 million for Bennett would likely be quickly matched by UVA to keep him. You'd have to start at 3.5 as a minimum just to put the heat on their AD, honestly.
Illiniwek06
- N of I-80
It appears that he used them for leverage, despite OrangeKrus28's claim that "[h]e's a pretty straight shooter. He doesn't need to fake interest."
http://www.si.com/college-basketbal...t-virginia-coaching-contract-incentives-added
midastouch11
- New York, New York
For sure, someone taking Bennett would have to offer something Virginia couldn't match, and Illinois doesn't have Kentucky coach money. Sorry to be suddenly active, but this Tony Bennett stuff is just a little less far-fetched than the people clamoring for Billy Donovan on twitter.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
Right, the whole "I don't see that being a Lovie Smith-type hire" reaction that some of these candidates have gotten is beyond nuts.
Is JW thinking that since he just ponied up big time $$ for Lovie that this new hire has to be more economical maybe in the 2.5-3 mildo range at most? If he can get the support to lure Bennett away that would be great just not sure its feasible.
midastouch11
- New York, New York
Considering Groce makes 1.6 million, and I don't think Bruce ever got above 1.8, I think 2.5-3 would be a big step in the right direction for Illinois basketball. It always surprised me where Illinois head basketball coaches stood in the Big Ten salary pecking order.
To be fair, salaries have exploded just recently, after the time frame when Bruce could have had leverage for more money. Recent TV deals have changed the game. Groce has never been in the position to demand more than what he's made; really, he's lucky Thomas gave him that first extension when he did.
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