Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
Also, Archie does have a wife and child, and has been in Ohio for a long time now. Maybe he's comfortable there, has recruiting ties, etc. Maybe the Ohio State thing is more appealing to him long term.
2017 Coaching Carousel
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Also, Archie does have a wife and child, and has been in Ohio for a long time now. Maybe he's comfortable there, has recruiting ties, etc. Maybe the Ohio State thing is more appealing to him long term.
Deleted member 8632
D
Guest
Not sure I follow. If it has been determined that Groce will be retained, no matter the outcome of this season, it would only make sense(for current players and incoming recruits) to know this. Making an announcement to back your HC is the right thing to do in this scenario. The lack of this happening tells me JW is leaving his options open. Doesn't mean JG won't be back.....just means it's not definitive he will be back.
Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone with there being zero comments on this so far, but maybe I just think this is weirder than it is:
Gottfried is fired ... but will coach the rest of the season? :huh:
Gottfried is fired ... but will coach the rest of the season? :huh:
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
I guess we can add Gottfried to the list of candidates.
It had to have been getting out in front of the leak, right? (even though they were behind the leak, i guess) Like, the news got leaked earlier this week or whenever that was, so they pretty much just came out and confirmed it to control the narrative?
Seems weird they would keep him on and not let an assistant be an interim. Probably to avoid the rumored Jerrance/ Illinois situation.
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
Now we have certainty that there is a better coach available, and he's currently unemployed.
Wow. I fail to understand why people think that if we lose all of our seniors this year and replace them with one 3 star, a couple of fringe top 100 guys with one coming off an ACL tear, and a top 30-40 non MCDAA, that we are suddenly going to win more games. We will have zero seniors next year, some inexperienced juniors, and freshman who don't know the system and aren't ready physically to compete in the Big Ten. As stated below, the next coach cannot possibly do any worse than Groce has done thus far. A .386 conference win percentage isn't even in the ballpark of acceptable.
This.
True. We're not going to be very good next season. It will be still be refreshing to see improved interior D and a big who can play in traffic. Also, FWIW, I do believe Trent Frazier is better than TJL and I think we'll be excited about his future once we see him on display.
I could see Lucas and Frazier in the same backcourt.
Whitman will not make an announcement before season is over even if he has decided to keep Groce. He will make a one time announcement at the end of the season, after the season has ended. He will not put his verdict for public scrutiny, no matter what the decision, while games continue to be playing. It is that simple, it makes zero sense to do that before the end of the season, and there is zero to gain. Employee evaluations are done after a season (or term) has finished. If you make an announcement earlier, it shows you are biased either way. It will not happen.
I don't think our record will be any worse than it is this year. We truly only lose Malcolm and Mav, and while they are our best players, Malcolm has not been the same in Big Ten play and Mav has been very up and down. Abrams and Thorne are not losses, nor is Tate, that will hurt you at all. You balance that out with Finke, Lucas, Coleman-Lands, Black and Nichols all having another year under their belt, and I believe that the improvement across the board for those five is greater than the loss of Malcolm and Mav. It would be different if Malcolm was Melo Trimble or Swanigan or something like that, but he isn't. He is a guy averaging 14 or 15 ppg who doesn't box out and doesn't necessarily play good defense. Don't get me wrong, I like Malcolm, always have, but he is no better this year than last year. You add in a coach who is at least adequate and you are instantly better, and I haven't even taken the freshmen into account yet.
I think so too. Just as a comparison, fans & the talking heads are rightfully excited about TJLs future. I think folks will be especially excited once they see what Frazier brings to the table.
The should he stay, or should he go dialog is just crazy to me. I expected concensus after the Penn State loss, and our tournament hopes dashed.
No idea what the reason, but possibilities:
* They want to get a jump on the coaching search
* They want to get ahead of possible rumors if it's not announced
* There's a reason to distance from him now (he's done something we don't know about that will come to light)
* Appease boosters
* They don't know what they're doing
* They do know what they're doing and don't want it to get out that they're working channels while their coach is still there
Personally, I'm not sure it's the worst thing you can do. While some on this board say you should have a replacement before cutting the cord, I don't think that's realistic. I'm not opposed to keeping it under wraps either, but there may be some advantage to being an early opening. I think most people want to do everything possible in our situation to make a smooth transition given the recruiting implications, but I expect there will be fallout. If we're lucky, we're able to move quickly, and the hire keeps everyone on board. I'm not counting on it though.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Wouldn't be shocked if Keatts lands at NCST. Makes more sense than Illinois in terms of area connections, and Illinois isn't a significantly better job at this point.
You are severely underestimating what Malcolm & Mav bring to this team. Especially Malcolm.
The Sprouting Divot
Invisible and Bulletproof
- Miracle Mile
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
8 years of sucking doesn't change the potential of a job like Illinois THAT much.
I think we will be better next year because the balance of the team will be better. Lucas and Frazier will be a massive upgrade at point. Tillmon will be an upgrade on defense as a shot blocking presence, no one is afraid to take the ball to the hoop against us now. I think Lucas and Frazier being able to get penetration will make Finke and JCL better shooters and I think Kipper is going to be real good. I think in college basketball now you have to have guys that can beat their man and create for themselves or teammates and I think we will have a few of those.
Danger of bursting.
For a second I thought that was Groce to his right.
http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2015-03-16/things-he-cant-do
Matta had a botched back surgery years ago that has left him with a permanent disability in one of his feet and a lifetime of chronic pain. He can't even take his shoes and socks off himself.
Matta had a botched back surgery years ago that has left him with a permanent disability in one of his feet and a lifetime of chronic pain. He can't even take his shoes and socks off himself.
A top 10ish recruiting class is spectacular for Illinois. I don't remember the last time we had this high a recruiting class, but I would guess that when we have, it was when the team was winning-- a lot.
Also, I don't think people are arguing what you think they are arguing.
Here are a few reasons that waiting could be worthwhile.
The NBA season is long. JW could have someone in mind that wants the job. He is interviewing them now and must wait until after the NBA season. Recruits and the public won't wait this long for a coach to be confirmed (May/June). In this case, I would want Groce to stay for another year to preserve the recruiting class and wait for the great coach.
We lose Frazier and Tilmon if Groce leaves.
JW is talking with coaches now and they don't like the makeup of the current scholarship situation. Waiting a year buys time with recruiting.
JW believes the new recruiting class would add to the desirability of Illinois to top-tier coaches.
JW doesn't want a debacle and wants to confirm the coach before acting.
The list goes on.
I think this idea that we can't find anyone better is not what people are trying to communicate. I also don't think they are saying all the recruits will leave and we can't find better. New coaches with a 3 year clock will weigh their options before moving their family across the country. The more stacked the pipeline, the better the opportunities. Groce took a high-risk position. By year 2 he had 9 new players, most of the talent on Illinois was not D1 talent and our ties to the major recruiting hubs were severed. I do want Groce out, but I also trust the JW will do what makes the most sense.
no guarantee you lose Tilmon or Frazier.... and... what happens if you get a 12 seed and lose in first four... harder to get rid of the coach even though you know he isn't your long term solution.
And... if you do happen to lose Tilmon or Frazier (or someone transfers), the scholarship situation changes in a hurry.
Honest question... how many people sort of hope that Illinois loses one or two more games to make the decision even easier for the people that don't see it yet?
And... if you do happen to lose Tilmon or Frazier (or someone transfers), the scholarship situation changes in a hurry.
Honest question... how many people sort of hope that Illinois loses one or two more games to make the decision even easier for the people that don't see it yet?
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