I think Cuonzo, er.....I mean whoever the next coach is should think about bringing Deon in on the staff. He could coach the bigs and could help with recruiting Chicago. Most importantly, he could instill some of that old pride and what it meant to wear that jersey!!
Not gonna be Zo. But he'll probably be in the braggin rights game.
Not gonna be Zo. But he'll probably be in the braggin rights game.
And I don't think it will be Monty. I think it's someone with a job but not a job coaching college kids.
Williams can't wait to get back into coaching.
And I don't think it will be Monty. I think it's someone with a job but not a job coaching college kids.
What makes you say that TC? I know you've been alluding to a hire like this for a while.
Hello everyone, I am new to this board, and I am hoping for the return of good Illini basketball! I see some people are interested in Monty Williams. Honest question because I didn't follow him in New Orleans, is there reason to think that he will be better here than his 173/221 career win/loss record?
NBA and college are two different animals. Go take a look at Calipari or Pitino's NBA record compared to their college records. Also, he did a great job with that Pelicans team. Definitely didn't deserve to be let go.
Welcome to the board!
Hello everyone, I am new to this board, and I am hoping for the return of good Illini basketball! I see some people are interested in Monty Williams. Honest question because I didn't follow him in New Orleans, is there reason to think that he will be better here than his 173/221 career win/loss record?
Monty Williams went 46-36 in his first season with New Orleans and made the playoffs. After the season, the team went into full rebuild mode, trading Chris Paul and David West (their two best players). They only won 21 games, but Williams kept them competitive. They won the lottery and drafted Anthony Davis. Williams drew rave reviews for his coaching and mentorship of Davis. In Monty's fourth year, he made the playoffs again despite being outgunned everywhere except Power Forward in terms of talent. He was fired after that year and a lot of people thought it was unfair. He landed as an assistant to Billy Donavan in OKC and drew praise for his work there. Also, obviously, coaching for USA basketball is huge. Now he's in a key front office role with the Spurs.
He didn't win a ton of games, but Monty is generally regarded as one of the brightest up-and-coming defensive minds in the coaching community. He runs some really novel and effective defensive sets. Besides that, he's considered an extremely high character person and lauded for his relationship-building skills. People in the past have suggested that he would excel in the college game due to his personality and gift for teaching/player development. I don't know if he's actually interested, but when the rumor came out and I did some digging, it was like, "huh. That could make a lot of sense." My only concern is whether he'll be able to navigate the gray areas of college recruiting, because he sounds like a really morally upright human being. Obviously not a bad thing, and I think Groce fits into that category and does fine as a recruiter.
Monty Williams went 46-36 in his first season with New Orleans and made the playoffs. After the season, the team went into full rebuild mode, trading Chris Paul and David West (their two best players). They only won 21 games, but Williams kept them competitive. They won the lottery and drafted Anthony Davis. Williams drew rave reviews for his coaching and mentorship of Davis. In Monty's fourth year, he made the playoffs again despite being outgunned everywhere except Power Forward in terms of talent. He was fired after that year and a lot of people thought it was unfair. He landed as an assistant to Billy Donavan in OKC and drew praise for his work there. Also, obviously, coaching for USA basketball is huge. Now he's in a key front office role with the Spurs.
He didn't win a ton of games, but Monty is generally regarded as one of the brightest up-and-coming defensive minds in the coaching community. He runs some really novel and effective defensive sets. Besides that, he's considered an extremely high character person and lauded for his relationship-building skills. People in the past have suggested that he would excel in the college game due to his personality and gift for teaching/player development. I don't know if he's actually interested, but when the rumor came out and I did some digging, it was like, "huh. That could make a lot of sense." My only concern is whether he'll be able to navigate the gray areas of college recruiting, because he sounds like a really morally upright human being. Obviously not a bad thing, and I think Groce fits into that category and does fine as a recruiter.
Thanks for the post. Well done. In regards to the "grey" areas, isn't that what assistant coaches are for?
Fascinated by the Monty Williams potential. Curious as to whether he would he be content here or would this just be a stepping stone? This would have to be a concern of Whitman's. Curious as to who he would recruit for a staff.
Monty Williams went 46-36 in his first season with New Orleans and made the playoffs. After the season, the team went into full rebuild mode, trading Chris Paul and David West (their two best players). They only won 21 games, but Williams kept them competitive. They won the lottery and drafted Anthony Davis. Williams drew rave reviews for his coaching and mentorship of Davis. In Monty's fourth year, he made the playoffs again despite being outgunned everywhere except Power Forward in terms of talent. He was fired after that year and a lot of people thought it was unfair. He landed as an assistant to Billy Donavan in OKC and drew praise for his work there. Also, obviously, coaching for USA basketball is huge. Now he's in a key front office role with the Spurs.
He didn't win a ton of games, but Monty is generally regarded as one of the brightest up-and-coming defensive minds in the coaching community. He runs some really novel and effective defensive sets. Besides that, he's considered an extremely high character person and lauded for his relationship-building skills. People in the past have suggested that he would excel in the college game due to his personality and gift for teaching/player development. I don't know if he's actually interested, but when the rumor came out and I did some digging, it was like, "huh. That could make a lot of sense." My only concern is whether he'll be able to navigate the gray areas of college recruiting, because he sounds like a really morally upright human being. Obviously not a bad thing, and I think Groce fits into that category and does fine as a recruiter.
Fascinated by the Monty Williams potential. Curious as to whether he would he be content here or would this just be a stepping stone? This would have to be a concern of Whitman's. Curious as to who he would recruit for a staff.
If he does well enough here to attract other job offers, that would be a very good thing.