The Illinois Football Coaching Search

[KrushCow31]

No idea who we will hire. I prefer a young up and coming P5 coordinator looking for a chance over some has been head coach going onto his 3rd P5 gig. I'm fine with riskier hires. What's the worst that could happen? We lose to Northwestern 5 years in a row? A hire like Clark Lea would be a home run in my book. Former player. Young. Experience at a high level on a winning team. Runs the 14th best defense in NCAA per yards/game. If he doesn't get hired off this season, he will in the next season or two by someone. But if the rumors of it being announced soon is true, it won't be Clark Lea, considering I doubt he would leave in the middle of trying to win a National Championship.

 

[altenberger22]

Well if our only clue is risky than I'm going with Luke Butkus

Or alternatively, Dick Butkus

 

[ILFaninFL]

Josh seems to pick someone none of us think of. I think he is looking for a successful HC. Outside the box: Bryan Harsin of Boise State

The dude is 44. Currently make $1.25. 76-23 as a head coach.

 

[altenberger22]

I was a graduate student at Texas A&M when Sumlin was hired. Other than catching lightning in a bottle with Manziel, it was awful.

I later took a job at Arizona. They then hired Sumlin. It was uniformly awful.

He's like a plague that keeps following me. I hope it doesn't continue.

Ever thought of pursuing a PhD at Michigan? Apply now if you can.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

If we're taking a risk let's really take a risk. We're all thinking it so I'll go ahead and say it: Reverse Ted Lasso. We bring in a football manager from the other side of the pond to really shake things up. Maybe Arsene Wenger is ready to take on a new challenge? Or perhaps Massimiliano Allegri?

 

[illini_frog]

lol, your fandom is safe, Briles won't leave Texas plus there are grumbling coming from Lubbock that Texas Tech boosters are wanting to buy out the current coach and get Briles.... I'm guessing the "_frog" is a TCU nod.

It is. And if Whitman emphasized integrity he can't be in the same zip code as Art Briles. Trust me, Baylor was a cesspool and while Rhule helped and Aranda isnt' bad, the University still isn't completely clean.

 

[altenberger22]

Josh seems to pick someone none of us think of. I think he is looking for a successful HC. Outside the box: Bryan Harsin of Boise State

The dude is 44. Currently make $1.25. 76-23 as a head coach.

Just starting to research some of the guys on our presumed Top 10 list (from the media outlets). Harsin is in my Top 3 so far. Good recommendation!

 

[SescIllini]

Want someone who has won at the BIG, still considered a solid coordinator and has midwestern and southern recruiting ties? Bo Pelini

Many didn't like his overly fiery coaching style. But this might be what this program needs.

 

[altenberger22]

No idea who we will hire. I prefer a young up and coming P5 coordinator looking for a chance over some has been head coach going onto his 3rd P5 gig. I'm fine with riskier hires. What's the worst that could happen? We lose to Northwestern 5 years in a row? A hire like Clark Lea would be a home run in my book. Former player. Young. Experience at a high level on a winning team. Runs the 14th best defense in NCAA per yards/game. If he doesn't get hired off this season, he will in the next season or two by someone. But if the rumors of it being announced soon is true, it won't be Clark Lea, considering I doubt he would leave in the middle of trying to win a National Championship.

Another really solid name --- but I simply don't like the fact that he's a Defensive coach.

 

[sacraig]

Ever thought of pursuing a PhD at Michigan? Apply now if you can.

I have one of those already. I will not be earning another. Sorry, but that's not one I'm ready to take for the team.

 

[IllinoisOKC]

Just starting to research some of the guys on our presumed Top 10 list (from the media outlets). Harsin is in my Top 3 so far. Good recommendation!

He’s rumored for Arizona. A buddy of mine in boise said harsin’s frustrated, guess some emails came out how harsin wants boise st to leave the mt west or something along those lines, nothing bad. I don’t think he’s a bad coach at all. I would assume he’d stay on the west coast but could be worse hires.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

After listening to the press conference, I'm guessing Moncken.

Welp, that will give me my saturday's back.

 

[altenberger22]

Hallelujah Josh made the announcement today! There's now hope, renewed optimism and a reason to stay tuned-in to Illini football.

Don't get rid of those season tickets just yet.

 

[FightingIllini40]

Want someone who has won at the BIG, still considered a solid coordinator and has midwestern and southern recruiting ties? Bo Pelini

Many didn't like his overly fiery coaching style. But this might be what this program needs.

Is this a joke? Pelini has been terrible as LSU DC.

 

[KrushCow31]

Another really solid name --- but I simply don't like the fact that he's a Defensive coach.

Yah I get that concern. We had the 107th ranked defense this year though out of 127, so establishing a solid, modern defense could really help. Our offense was 95th though, so really not much better, but without a true starting QB for multiple games, it's more excusable.

 

[altenberger22]

He’s rumored for Arizona. A buddy of mine in boise said harsin’s frustrated, guess some emails came out how harsin wants boise st to leave the mt west or something along those lines, nothing bad. I don’t think he’s a bad coach at all. I would assume he’d stay on the west coast but could be worse hires.

You're probably right. I got swayed by the stint at Arkansas St, but that was for just one year (following Malzahn, rather interestingly).

 

[IllinoisRebel]

Todd Monken - The biggest weakness of Georgia is their offense.
Jeff Monken - A triple option offense...seriously?????
Why would we be excited about bad offensive coaches, or even good defensive coaches (hear me out). If you want to fill the stands you need a dynamic offense and pray the coach can hire a decent defensive coordinator that can recruit.

We laugh at coaches like Hugh Freeze, but he’s #1 on Auburn’s list. Hell, I’d take Jeff Lebby from Ole Miss. That offense is dynamic!!

I guess the perfect situation would be someone who wants to be in the Midwest, has recruiting ties to the Midwest and has a great offense...who the heck is that?!
(Sorry, I was thinking aloud!)

 

[altenberger22]

Todd Monken - The biggest weakness of Georgia is their offense.
Jeff Monken - A triple option offense...seriously?????
Why would we be excited about bad offensive coaches, or even good defensive coaches (hear me out). If you want to fill the stands you need a dynamic offense and pray the coach can hire a decent defensive coordinator that can recruit.

We laugh at coaches like Hugh Freeze, but he’s #1 on Auburn’s list. Hell, I’d take Jeff Lebby from Ole Miss. That offense is dynamic!!

I guess the perfect situation would be someone who wants to be in the Midwest, has recruiting ties to the Midwest and has a great offense...who the heck is that?!
(Sorry, I was thinking aloud!)

Several great comments here. I think you nailed it. Josh - find him!

 

[MoCoMdIllini]

Someone mentioned Art Briles in the risky category, already.

Does Jim Tressel still have a show-cause attached to him?

 

[Illwinsagain]

Someone mentioned Art Briles in the risky category, already.

Does Jim Tressel still have a show-cause attached to him?

I was thinking about Tressel. I am sure that there is some "stink" on him, but his success was very impressive.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

He’s rumored for Arizona. A buddy of mine in boise said harsin’s frustrated, guess some emails came out how harsin wants boise st to leave the mt west or something along those lines, nothing bad. I don’t think he’s a bad coach at all. I would assume he’d stay on the west coast but could be worse hires.

He’s also never built a program. Followed Freese and Malzahn at Ark St and Petersen at Boise St. He’s done a good job of maintaining the program at Boise, but it isn’t as dominant as it was.

 

[Retro62]

I don’t care if he was more successful, I would pass on Urban Meyer to get Tressel...talk about stink, Meyer is the Toxic Avenger

p.s. I know neither is actually a real thought, just venting my spleen

 

[Illinivek23]

Ausmessen thinks it needs to be a guy in his 40s...or younger.

 

[Illwinsagain]

I don’t care if he was more successful, I would pass on Urban Meyer to get Tressel...talk about stink, Meyer is the Toxic Avenger

p.s. I know neither is actually a real thought, just venting my spleen

Just looked up Tressel, he's 68 and President at Youngstown U.

 

[illini80]

I’m still on the Nathan Scheelhaase bandwagon. Long shot, but the time to grab him is early. He’s going to quickly move up and we will have missed our opportunity.