Is the consensus that we will not hear a final word on Groce until Monday? I'm confused as to why we would not have that decision this afternoon.
A few factors:
-If Groce was truly coaching for his job in the BTT, as I suspect, there will be value to taking the weekend to get ducks in a row.
-If Whitman is a man of integrity and believes Groce is too (i.e. Groce won't run to the media or immediately start leaking info within his network), it's likely that he'll give him a day to tell his family and staff and another day to meet with his team before an official statement comes down. This is best case for all parties: more time to sort out a delicate personal and professional situation.
-Press cycle: if you want to bury something, release news on a Friday afternoon. If you want to be the main topic on TV/radio shows, make your announcement on a Monday afternoon and then leak compelling rumors through back channels that night. This is only a good plan if you will resolve the open story with an impressive conclusion within a week or so. Let Groce go, make an impressive statement about the direction of the program, start working to finalize terms quickly with Archie Miller, Monty Williams, et al, leak some realistic rumors to keep the talking heads engaged through the week, interface actively with the fan base through the process, officially announce the hire by 3/20 or so, hold a big press conference, flood social media. Illinois basketball is then relevant all the way through the NCAAT. Of course, this kind of aggressive tack could go horribly wrong, so if it plays out assume Groce has secured $2.8mm+/year and encouraging feedback from preferred candidates.