The Illinois Coaching Search

Ransom Stoddard · Mar 13, 2017

I thought I'd seen everything here.

And then Steve Masiello for a couple of pages.

Where's Larry K, dangit???!!!!

RichardKeenesHair · Mar 13, 2017

drew306 said:
Deon Thomas throwing his hat in the ring big time on Tay and J...

Some people's lack of self awareness is head scratching. On what planet does Deon think he has the credentials to be a high major DI coach?

Roundball Shaman · Mar 13, 2017

drwillini said:
The opinion on this is going to be generational. I'm sure anybody younger than 25 has their doubts. And if you are younger than 35 you are "somewhere in the middle.&quot Honestly, for the right guy, that wants to build a legacy rather than lunch on one, this is the best job in the country.

The best part about this is that the right coach won't care about these attitudes either way. He'll shatter what has been the recent ceiling for Illini basketball and then THAT will become the new Illini normal. Young kids when they reach teenage years will think that Illini basketball has ALWAYS been great.

ILHoff · Mar 13, 2017

ILNative said:
"total package" BINGO. There are NO blemishes on his scorecard which is why he will ultimately be a popular hire.

Zero P5 wins
Zero tournament wins
Louisville stripper scandal existed during the entirety of his employment
Who has he recruited?
Who has he beaten outside of the CAA?

He deserves credit for what he's done at UNCW, but no blemishes?

FiveStar · Mar 13, 2017

RichardKeenesHair said:
Some people's lack of self awareness is head scratching. On what planet does Deon think he has the credentials to be a high major DI coach?

Might have something to do with the fact that he has both played and coached division I basketball? Just a shot in the dark.

Second and Chalmers · Mar 13, 2017

ThreatLevelMidnight said:
It was Bobby. Colangelo/Coach K connection

Bobby is recruiting very well at ASU, but the results have been pretty grisly so far.

golferjohn1970 · Mar 13, 2017

basementcheetos said:
Tay and J having a really good discussion of coaching candidates. They firmly believe the two numbers thrown out by Whitman in the presser were not accidents. Believe that Whitman is going to first shoot high for candidates in the 4.5 million range, then he also has second list of 2.5 million dollar candidates. They took a shot at the lists.

4.5 million dollar candidates
Gregg Marshall-they admitted is probably would cost more like 5 million
Archie Miller
Buzz Williams

2.5 million dollar candidates
Cuonzo Martin
Chris Holtman
Kevin Keatts
Will Wade
Bobby Hurley

I agree that Whitman probably did not flippantly throw out those 2 different numbers and this seems like a reasonable set up. I would be very happy with any of the top candidates. Of the bottom set really like Wade and Holtman. Problem with Holtman though as he and Groce are really good friends and played together at Taylor.

I wouldn't pay Marshall 5 million, I like him a lot just not that much. If JW can get Miller for 3.5 that is the way to go IMO. Just as good a coach and maybe better recruiter and younger too.

FiveStar · Mar 13, 2017

aluma said:
Man is Deon Thomas full of himself. He was a great player, but he makes it seem like he should be hired as the next head coach with no coaching experience whatsoever. It was insufferable

:frustrated:

RedRocksIllini · Mar 13, 2017

aluma said:
Man is Deon Thomas full of himself. He was a great player, but he makes it seem like he should be hired as the next head coach with no coaching experience whatsoever. It was insufferable

Gonna be a hard choice between Deon and Sergio. Both so deserving if you ask them.

RichardKeenesHair · Mar 13, 2017

FiveStar said:
Might have something to do with the fact that he has both played and coached division I basketball? Just a shot in the dark.

So, that's the bar? I once programmed an Apple IIE to say "Hello", I don't think I'm qualified to run Microsoft

RockyMtnIllini81 · Mar 13, 2017

basementcheetos said:
Tay and J having a really good discussion of coaching candidates. They firmly believe the two numbers thrown out by Whitman in the presser were not accidents. Believe that Whitman is going to first shoot high for candidates in the 4.5 million range, then he also has second list of 2.5 million dollar candidates. They took a shot at the lists.

4.5 million dollar candidates
Gregg Marshall-they admitted is probably would cost more like 5 million
Archie Miller
Buzz Williams

2.5 million dollar candidates
Cuonzo Martin
Chris Holtman
Kevin Keatts
Will Wade
Bobby Hurley

I agree that Whitman probably did not flippantly throw out those 2 different numbers and this seems like a reasonable set up. I would be very happy with any of the top candidates. Of the bottom set really like Wade and Holtman. Problem with Holtman though as he and Groce are really good friends and played together at Taylor.

Please not Buzz Williams. There was something unsavory about him leaving Marquette. Not what we need. https://painttouches.com/2014/03/23/greska-pulling-the-curtain-on-buzz-williams/

FiveStar · Mar 13, 2017

RichardKeenesHair said:
So, that's the bar? I once programmed an Apple IIE to say "Hello", I don't think I'm qualified to run Microsoft

You asked why he would think he's qualified. I gave you an answer, preferable or not, based in fact.

mattcoldagelli · Mar 13, 2017

ILHoff said:
Zero P5 wins
Zero tournament wins

If only we had an example of where we paid too much attention to these things.

Can anybody think of one?

Anyone?

ILL in IA · Mar 13, 2017

Any of the former players "tossing their hat in the ring" worth while as assistants on the next coaches staff?

RichardKeenesHair · Mar 13, 2017

FiveStar said:
You asked why he would think he's qualified. I gave you an answer, preferable or not, based in fact.

Ok, maybe I should have asked why anyone reasonable would think he is qualified. And if he was self aware wouldn't he realize he is not. Do you think he is?

golferjohn1970 · Mar 13, 2017

TownieMatt said:
FWIW, here is who I would go after if I was Whitman:

1. Archie Miller - Make him say no to $4m/year
2. Gregg Marshall - Gloves are off now, make him say no to $4.5m/year
3. Cuonzo Martin - Not my favorite hire, but still a good one. Probably getable around $2.5m/year
4. Kevin Keatts - Ok, the more established guys have passed. Hire the hot mid-major guy with good credentials.

Good post go after Marshall make him say no to 5-6 year deal worth 4.5 average per year if he balks then go after Miller make him say no to 20 million over 5 years. You can get Keatts and Cuonzo for 2.5 million max.

RichardKeenesHair · Mar 13, 2017

ILL in IA said:
Any of the former players "tossing their hat in the ring" worth while as assistants on the next coaches staff?

A coach of the quality we are talking about will likely bring his own staff. If one of those assistants takes the vacated job there might be an opening for someone who can recruit - think Jerrance. Dee Brown could potentially be a guy like that, but I doubt it

ILL in IA · Mar 13, 2017

golferjohn1970 said:
Good post go after Marshall make him say no to 5-6 year deal worth 4.5 average per year if he balks then go after Miller make him say no to 20 million over 5 years. You can get Keatts and Cuonzo for 2.5 million max.

I feel like we know where Cuonzo can take Illimois. I'd put Keats over him if we can't get Miller or Marshall.

Roundball Shaman · Mar 13, 2017

BigJIllini said:
Jeff Goodman from ESPN was just on Chicago Radio. Said that the thing that hurts the perception of Illinois in the coaching world is that it is thought that you have to get "dirty" to recruit in Chicago right now.

I don't know if you have to get dirty to recruit in Chitown. What I do know is that the Illini need to change the perception of it in the Chicago media. Except for times like right now, you can go weeks and months without hearing much of anything about the State University. Pro sports rule along with the obligatory Notre Dame and Northwestern coverage. Kids growing up on the West and South sides never hear anything about the Illini from the media. If the new Illini coach can establish some long-term decent media coverage in the hotbed of Big City ball, that would make a big difference in the trajectory of the Illini program.

FiveStar · Mar 13, 2017

RichardKeenesHair said:
Ok, maybe I should have asked why anyone reasonable would think he is qualified. And if he was self aware wouldn't he realize he is not. Do you think he is?

What I think has no bearing here. But having D1 playing and coaching experience is not a bad "bar" as you put it, considering most college coaches have it.

RichardKeenesHair · Mar 13, 2017

FiveStar said:
What I think has no bearing here. But having D1 playing and coaching experience is not a bad "bar" as you put it, considering most college coaches have it.

I'll stick with my original statement - No one with self awareness and Deon's qualifications would think he has any shot at being named the head coach at Illinois

RichBradIllini · Mar 13, 2017

Roundball Shaman said:
I don't know if you have to get dirty to recruit in Chitown. What I do know is that the Illini need to change the perception of it in the Chicago media. Except for times like right now, you can go weeks and months without hearing much of anything about the State University. Pro sports rule along with the obligatory Notre Dame and Northwestern coverage. Kids growing up on the West and South sides never hear anything about the Illini from the media. If the new Illini coach can establish some long-term decent media coverage in the hotbed of Big City ball, that would make a big difference in the trajectory of the Illini program.

Wins cure all ills.

RichardKeenesHair · Mar 13, 2017

Roundball Shaman said:
I don't know if you have to get dirty to recruit in Chitown. What I do know is that the Illini need to change the perception of it in the Chicago media. Except for times like right now, you can go weeks and months without hearing much of anything about the State University. Pro sports rule along with the obligatory Notre Dame and Northwestern coverage. Kids growing up on the West and South sides never hear anything about the Illini from the media. If the new Illini coach can establish some long-term decent media coverage in the hotbed of Big City ball, that would make a big difference in the trajectory of the Illini program.

Illinois led the nightly sports coverage in Chicago in 2005. Win and you force them to cover you

zpfled · Mar 13, 2017

ILL in IA said:
I feel like we know where Cuonzo can take Illimois. I'd put Keats over him if we can't get Miller or Marshall.

I think we're going to see Cuonzo take the reigns at Mizzou.

RedRocksIllini · Mar 13, 2017

ILL in IA said:
Any of the former players "tossing their hat in the ring" worth while as assistants on the next coaches staff?

I would think someone who is not even remotely qualified to be head coach but feels the need to toss their hat in the ring is probably not the sort that is going to be willing to do the serious grunt work needed of an assistance coach. Could certainly be wrong about that and I have no idea how Deon performed as an asst at UIC but the assistant job is a lot of work without a lot of pay. Not usually a good fit for someone who thinks they deserve to be put in charge.

The Illinois Coaching Search

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