Coaching Discussion/Carousel

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#77      

Epsilon

M tipping over
Pdx
I just don’t buy that Illinois is a difficult place to win at. The B1G west is easier than the east and I just think we’ve had a really bad run of coaches with various weaknesses that were just too much to overcome. I think the will is there for the school (finally) to invest in the program and I think we’ll get there with the right hire.
 
#78      
I think you have to look for a young up and comer that has shown he can recruit or an SEC retread like a Gus Malzahn if things go South there. Would people be opposed to someone like Bret Bielema who is with the Patriots now?
 
#79      
Although my wife got her undergrad at UCF, I know virtually nothing about the football team (other than they've been successful, including the guy that ND hired/fired for lying on his resumse). Why don't you like Heupel? He's had success, right?

My gut mostly to be honest. I think maybe I would like to see how drawn out his success is to make sure he isn't just riding the momentum Frost built. I think that sometimes you see these coaches with good win% that fail when they move up.
 
#80      
We need someone with strong and proven recruiting ties in the Midwest. I think the past 30 years of Illinois coaches have proven that "pipelines" to California, Texas, Florida, wherever simply are not sustainable. Yes, it is great to get the odd player or two in each class from outside the region, and I know that revised transfer rules could make HS recruiting less crucial, but I continue to think that we MUST do better in the Midwest to sustain the program long term.
 
#83      
Considering he is Georgia's offensive Coordinator I would venture to guess he is interested in coaching college ball.
This would be a great choice in my opinion. He has been a part of great winning programs and has good connections around the country and good ties to Chicagoland area. I guess my only question would be would he bolt for the NFL again if asked?
 
#84      

Sawicky

Chicago, IL
Does the U of I adminstration hold Whitman back from getting a good coach at all ? Or is just the program and its history. Honest question because I have heard the top brass doesn't really care much for athletics.
 
#86      

JJE

Bethalto, IL
I know it's fun to try to run down a list of names, but it's pretty futile with Whitman as AD. Before leaks came out no one expected Lovie Smith and in basketball no one saw Underwood coming.

On the flip side when Thomas was AD it seemed like there were leaks everywhere. Sumlin turning us down in football and Smart and Steven's turning is down was no secret.

While I don't think Whitman will hire another big name for football I also wouldn't completely rule it out. If he wasn't restricted by the financial constraints due to covid I think he would be able to go out and get a really great coach. I say that only because of how coaches who work for him seem to really like him. That said I still think he will surprise us if he ultimately decides to part ways with Lovie.
 
#87      
Does the U of I adminstration hold Whitman back from getting a good coach at all ? Or is just the program and its history. Honest question because I have heard the top brass doesn't really care much for athletics.
Both. They would never sign off on Kiffin or Leach is they even wanted to come here previously even though they don't have a lot of red flags, they care about looking to prim and proper than winning football games.
 
#88      
Both. They would never sign off on Kiffin or Leach is they even wanted to come here previously even though they don't have a lot of red flags, they care about looking to prim and proper than winning football games.
All true. But they do like money, which football can make if we win a little.
 
#89      
I just don’t buy that Illinois is a difficult place to win at. The B1G west is easier than the east and I just think we’ve had a really bad run of coaches with various weaknesses that were just too much to overcome. I think the will is there for the school (finally) to invest in the program and I think we’ll get there with the right hire.
I dont think we are any harder a place to coach than Purdue/Indiana/NW and a number of other P5 schools that have had success outside the UM/OSU/PSUs of the world. Not exactly the group you want to be involved with, but considering where IU is, where PU has been recently, and the success of NW since Fitz arrived, I'd take it in a heartbeat. I'd potentially throw Minny in there. But yeah we aren't some backwoods dinky school thrust into a major conference.

I think we need a guy who can pull talent at a more consistent rate, among numerous other traits we've lacked the past decade. Not suggesting we need or will ever capture those few years Zook pulled out of his hat (for a number of reasons), but stringing together classes ranked in the middle third of the B1G isn't impossible, full stop.

When the Roberts and Jeremys of the world write numerous articles trying to spin our 'real' talent level, including jucos or grad or regular transfers at their original HS ranking, and reading into average stars or whatever fictional stuff you trust most, it's clear they're grasping at straws trying to prove the talent level has increased or is at least at a level higher than it has been, that points to something. Those who consume more illini football than 99% of us (of which we are already the top 1%) need to do intense calculations to prove we aren't the least talented B1G team--that screams change is needed, at least to me.
 
#90      
Most important thing to look for in a hire is the HC's ability to hire and develop a good staff; not only asst coaches but also S&C, academic, etc. If HS players and coaches believe the players will be well coached and developed they are much more inclined to look favorably at the school. You may not get as quick a pop as we did when Zook came in, but the success you have will be more sustainable.
 
#91      
Maybe I'm being too closed minded here, but I don't want our coach to be over the age of 45. I think a young, hungry coach who will use our program as a jumping off point for their head coaching career would be perfect. Harrell comes to mind in this regard. We don't need to be a coaches last stop, but we do need guys who understand how the college game is played today, and brings some energy to the sideline.
 
#92      
I'll throw out the name Lance Leipold from Buffalo. He's been at Buffalo for five full seasons now. His first 3 years were 13-23, his last two were 18-9. Think about that...Buffalo. He's done an outstanding job elevating a program that really had no direction or identity for a long time. Is he a sexy young gun hire? Hardly. Is he a midwestern guy with a notable track record of success? Absolutely. He's 56, just signed an extension w/ Buffalo, but I'd have to believe a buyout could be manageable.
 
#93      

Cook

Richmond, VA
Most important thing to look for in a hire is the HC's ability to hire and develop a good staff; not only asst coaches but also S&C, academic, etc. If HS players and coaches believe the players will be well coached and developed they are much more inclined to look favorably at the school. You may not get as quick a pop as we did when Zook came in, but the success you have will be more sustainable.

You're saying have an actual Program. And one with high expectations, that demands high performance, and rewards high quality top to bottom and side to side.

I'll add on to your list to include scouting and on campus recruiting staff. I though Whitman added several positions in those areas we never had before, but others did. Although, if that's accurate we still aren't seeing improved results. Which is also frustrating.
 
#94      

Deleted member 29907

D
Guest
Both. They would never sign off on Kiffin or Leach is they even wanted to come here previously even though they don't have a lot of red flags, they care about looking to prim and proper than winning football games.
We could do that without having spent a butt load (donated yes - but i assume someone wants results from that) of money on the performance center.
 
#95      
I'll throw out the name Lance Leipold from Buffalo. He's been at Buffalo for five full seasons now. His first 3 years were 13-23, his last two were 18-9. Think about that...Buffalo. He's done an outstanding job elevating a program that really had no direction or identity for a long time. Is he a sexy young gun hire? Hardly. Is he a midwestern guy with a notable track record of success? Absolutely. He's 56, just signed an extension w/ Buffalo, but I'd have to believe a buyout could be manageable.

Wary of MAc turnaround jobs thanks to LASAGNA.
 
#97      

Cook

Richmond, VA
I hear you about 'Wrestling Match'/'Beans & Weanies' MAC hire. But, we just hired the wrong Toledo coach. Ask those people in Ames, IA how they feel about hiring a MAC coach from Toledo. :)
The worst part of this is that "people in the know" knew that Campbell was the real rising star the whole time.
 
#98      

Cook

Richmond, VA
In addition to what should be the givens (excellent strategist and game manager, fantastic teacher, leaves no detail unattended, deeply involved in all phases O, D, and ST, personable and connects with others). Our next coach's personality profile should also include things like: obsessive, ultra-competitive, perfectionist, micro-manager, super confident. Those are not bad words for head fb coaches. It's what makes the best ones the best.
 
#99      
Our next coach's personality profile should also include things like: obsessive, ultra-competitive, perfectionist, micro-manager, super confident. Those are not bad words for head fb coaches. It's what makes the best ones the best.

I mean all of these qualities describe Lovie he's just not super loud about it and hasn't had the success we expect

Honestly don't care what a HC's personality is as long as they're not scummy and can win more football games than they lose.
 
#100      

altenberger22

South Carolina
The worst part of this is that "people in the know" knew that Campbell was the real rising star the whole time.
I really hate that this happened. We certainly chose the wrong Toledo coach.

And he doesn't just accept everything thrown his way. I understand he turned down coaching opportunities with the NE Patriots, Urban Meyer/OSU, and the NY Jets (head coach?). And he makes $3.5M/year.
 
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