I can’t be the only one thinking that Illinois made a much better hire than Tennessee. Talk about underwhelming. That fan base must be fed up.
The Illinois Coaching Staff
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
My brother is a Vols fan (we grew up in Tenn.) and is dubious, but said he liked his intro press conference. I think Danny White is a solid choice for AD, but I can't imagine he would have much to sell with the NCAA sanctions still to come. Heupel was a known commodity to him and amenable to the difficulties ahead.
What's the Forrest Gump saying, "Stupid is as stupid does"? Seems applicable here
I would have offered Billy Napier $3 million plus and say, we'll guarantee you a contract as long as sanctions apply plus 3 years at a minimum.
My understanding is that these search firms don't do as much as you would expect. It's more about trying to find dirt that would look bad from a PR perspective rather than determining if someone is the right man for the job.
illini80
- Forgottonia
It’s definitely a cya situation.
your number is very likely WAY LIGHT to attract him to that school right now
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
With staff filled, Bielema begins assessing Illini players
New Illinois coach starts building toward spring practice.
“I was very aware that I wanted to make this identity unique to Illinois. I wanted to build that with someone that was coming in at the same time with me and have all of us start off on the same foot and build it the Illini way. I didn’t want someone to walk in, put down a playbook and say, ‘This is what we’re running.’ I want to build off our strengths and work together as a staff.”
I like the sound of that....
Interesting quote from Bielema on his coordinators
Pretty good reason why these names were never on a list talked about here.
Pretty good reason why these names were never on a list talked about here.
Coach B sure is knocking it outta the park early. Seems 1 step ahead. Let's hope that translates to on field results soon.
Deleted member 654622
D
Guest
It's going to be interesting to see how they come out. If true, they are trying their best to be as unique as possible to this coaching staff AND this current roster. This newly created playbook has no history. So it is realistic to plan on some bumps as they work out the kinks.With staff filled, Bielema begins assessing Illini players
New Illinois coach starts building toward spring practice.www.stltoday.com
“I was very aware that I wanted to make this identity unique to Illinois. I wanted to build that with someone that was coming in at the same time with me and have all of us start off on the same foot and build it the Illini way. I didn’t want someone to walk in, put down a playbook and say, ‘This is what we’re running.’ I want to build off our strengths and work together as a staff.”
I like the sound of that....
However, let me continue to fall back on the Jimmys and Joes over Xs and Os mind set. The best thing IMO this coaching staff can do is instill the greatest level of confidence in each and every athlete on this team. The defense confusing the QB and O line is great, putting players in the correct position to be successful is a huge asset. However, the greatest "scheme" we can put out there, is the one where our D line blows up the opposing lineman. Confidence make you run faster, jump higher, and hit harder. If you want some cold hard proof of that, look at the statistics of every QB we played against the last few years. There are some outliers, but we all see the trend.
This appears to be a staff that is knowledgeable, creditable and motivational from our point of view. The number of seniors returning has made me optimistic they feel the same way.
Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
Is it just me, or has this not been shared here?
saturdaytradition.com
This is a hell of a coaching staff.
Former staffer from Arkansas, Auburn rejoins Bret Bielema at Illinois
Illinois is adding to its staff.
saturdaytradition.com
This is a hell of a coaching staff.
Nice find. Thanks for sharing.Is it just me, or has this not been shared here?
Former staffer from Arkansas, Auburn rejoins Bret Bielema at Illinois
Illinois is adding to its staff.
This is a hell of a coaching staff.
14 TD’s and only 2 Picks .... does he have any eligibility remaining?
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Another on staff who's a member of the Hot Wives Club. I approve.Is it just me, or has this not been shared here?
Former staffer from Arkansas, Auburn rejoins Bret Bielema at Illinois
Illinois is adding to its staff.
This is a hell of a coaching staff.
Yeah, they can recruit
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
Funny, first thing I sarcastically asked myself while reading.
Per the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings Illinois ranked 74th overall - last in the Big Ten. Coach Bielema has a big task on his hands turning around a program that consistently been one of the conferences bottom feeders seemingly forever. Many have tried and failed, was surprised Lovie couldn't do better. Hopefully, he can make this team at least respectable, it can be done, Indiana proved that.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Maybe you’ve heard....this is a hell of a coaching staff.
Seriously tho, BB has hired proven guys that are experienced and motivated to move up and hired proven recruiters that are young and motivated. I have no idea if he can build a sustained success program, but I also have no doubt we will be much better than we have been in the last 15 years. I think the real test will be when some of these coaches move on if he can continually replace them with equal quality. I believe that’s what got him in trouble at Arkansas when his new coaches didn’t pan out.
I am not going to believe this is a helluva coaching staff unless someone like ... oh, I don’t know, ubermensch agrees with that statement.Maybe you’ve heard....this is a hell of a coaching staff.
Seriously tho, BB has hired proven guys that are experienced and motivated to move up and hired proven recruiters that are young and motivated. I have no idea if he can build a sustained success program, but I also have no doubt we will be much better than we have been in the last 15 years. I think the real test will be when some of these coaches move on if he can continually replace them with equal quality. I believe that’s what got him in trouble at Arkansas when his new coaches didn’t pan out.
Key Hudson going to be D passing game coordinator at Western Kentucky.
I think Hudson is someone who can still have a good future as a coach if he can work for someone who's interested in working to develop him as a teacher, or at least who's interested in working at all.
I don't think Lovie was uninterested in teaching Key as much as what he was teaching Key wasn't worth learning. When you run one thing and one thing only it only takes so long before everyone learns it including the opposition.
He definitely has the knack for recruiting. I think Key can be a great teacher, it'll just take the right opportunity and small school with not a lot of pressure to learn s he goes and eventually get back up to Power 5 coaching level.