Coaching Carousel

[Epsilon]

Who among us wouldn't accept a more prestigious job for more money? And even if we match the money, we can't make ourselves Kentucky. I hate the thought of possibly losing both, but I won't vilify anyone for leaving for a better job.

I won’t vilify either of the assistants coaches, but I will vilify Kentucky and Cal. No turning back on that now...

 

[Oldskoolkoach]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1385301300322177024

Chin has never been anywhere more than 2 years before coming to Illinois. Perhaps, he will always be looking for the next best thing. Some people are just like that.

 

[sacraig]

“Per source” aka “I’ve read it a bunch on the internet and added a qualifier to my statement”

Not denying it’s true but I highly doubt anyone with direct info is texting Jeff Goodman.

His literal job is reporting on college hoops. I am reasonably certain he has actual sources.

 

[LarryGotFouled]

Does anybody know of another example of a school poaching two assistants from the same school? (that doesn't involve assistants heading with a HC that got hired elsewhere). This seems unheard of but maybe it's just something I've never had to pay attention to.

I can't think of an example. Not the same, but a similar situation was when Michigan poached BOTH the head coaches of West Virginia football and basketball within a year of each other. Not cool.

 

[Ubermensch]

Chin has never been anywhere more than 2 years before coming to Illinois. Perhaps, he will always be looking for the next best thing. Some people are just like that.

Just like what? Trying to move up the ranks to better jobs that pay more money? How is that different than literally every other coach? Seems to be working for him up to this point.

 

[Illinoise]

Hearing Josh to the Cats is almost finalized

 

[WaltJabsco]

Who do we steal from? If we can’t pay our coaches enough to stay away from the big boys, how can we pay enough to steal assistants from the big boys? Are we going to hire up and comers and prove to be a steppingstone to the big boys or are we going to be big boys?

One question I haven’t seen asked, is this all about money or was there also issues amongst BU and the staff?

I don't think we can spend our way into being Kentucky basketball, any more than the Padres can spend their way into being the Yankees, or Granada can spend their way into being Real Madrid. Even if we match or beat the money, we can't match or beat the prestige and history of the real blue-blood programs. Assistants who want to be HCs know they're better off at Kentucky than Illinois.

 

[Illwinsagain]

What does this mean (new hires or counter offers)?

But we will never know the real story. Rumors, sure, but the real story of how hard he tries, won't be known. Unless both stay and we find out their new salaries.

 

[Oldskoolkoach]

Just like what? Trying to move up the ranks to better jobs that pay more money? How is that different than literally every other coach? Seems to be working for him up to this point.

It's not. Everyone has that right, it's an American right.

All I said was he bounces around. Every industry has people that stay a couple years and move on. Each opportunity presents new wealth and happiness, or chances for something they are working for.

He stayed at Illinois longer than anywhere else and arguably has had the most success.

 

[KnoxIllini2]

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

For those of you who were clamoring for something besides the Adam Miller drama to follow... be careful what you wish for

Yeah, this was clearly the work of a cursed monkey's paw.

A little suggestion to the person who wished "for Illinois to be a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament again": next time wish for a national championship. Pretty simple tweak.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

I don't think we can spend our way into being Kentucky basketball, any more than the Padres can spend their way into being the Yankees, or Granada can spend their way into being Real Madrid. Even if we match or beat the money, we can't match or beat the prestige and history of the real blue-blood programs. Assistants who want to be HCs know they're better off at Kentucky than Illinois.

But you can maybe work your way to being closer to them. Would an assistant leave Michigan State like this for Kentucky? Perhaps, but it’d be slightly more surprising. Pre-Izzo, MSU was in our prestige bracket and arguably even a tad below us. Illinois needs to take every step possible to inch ourselves up the latter, and part of that will indeed involve being big spenders.

 

[EthanM]

I'll take "Ways to never hire another quality assistant in the future" for $400, Alex... err, Aaron... err, Anderson.

Oh I know, but if I can’t be happy, no one else will be. Salt the earth and hope some of the fallout sticks to UK.

I don’t think for a second that JW would do it, nor should he. But it sounds nice at the moment.

 

[Ubermensch]

It's not. Everyone has that right, it's an American right.

All I said was he bounces around. Every industry has people that stay a couple years and move on. Each opportunity presents new wealth and happiness, or chances for something they are working for.

He stayed at Illinois longer than anywhere else and arguably has had the most success.

Okay? What coach doesn't "bounce around?" You're literally just describing the job, and criticizing him for it at the same time. Don't say you're not criticizing him. I won't fall for that. So what's the point? You're mad about it? Just say you're mad about it. It's fine. But don't pretend he's doing something he shouldn't be doing.

Chin Coleman deserves to move up like anyone else. And there's no one way to go about doing it. You move up when you can.

 

[TheFameProtector]

You're really trying to rationalize your way into this being a bad move for these assistant coaches. (It's not.)

It's definitely not a bad financial or career move for either of them. I do think the optics are somewhat bad for OA. If he had just left to KY, people would be sad but would understand the move. However, coming here for 4 years to help resurrect a program, only to turn around and leave and also drag another integral assistant along with you is a low blow. This is a team you supposedly cared for during your time here, and the response is to leave and also stick another knife in their back on the way out? Of course, this may not at all be how things went down -- all of this is rumor at this point and nothing has actually happened -- but appearances can be just as meaningful as the actual events. Unless this is one big scheme to help your good buddy get paid (by Illinois) as you walk out the door, it looks and feels like he's lighting a match to the home he just helped finish building.

(FWIW, I'm of the opinion that we'll be fine -- while weathering a few bumps -- b/c BU is really good, but I do think how all of this is going down is really, really slimy. That's the name of the game though.)

 

[Ramrod2010]

I think you are UNDERestimating the rabid dementia of the fans of UK.....

They are simply delusional and not at all happy with last years team and record....UK fans don't give out mulligans no matter the circumstances....

The history of UK BB isn't a fairy tale, unicorn type existence, no matter the number of titles.....

Having seen their disaster season first hand this year... I can confirm this sentiment.

 

[Noblesville Illini]

If Kentucky steals two assistants AND Kofi this offseason they would shoot up to Illini enemy #1 imo.

Already there for me

 

[sacraig]

Just like what? Trying to move up the ranks to better jobs that pay more money? How is that different than literally every other human? Seems to be working for him up to this point.

FIFY

 

[illiniu]

I could use a little dancing Weber right now. Thanks.

 

[Ubermensch]

It's definitely not a bad financial or career move for either of them. I do think the optics are somewhat bad for OA. If he had just left to KY, people would be sad but would understand the move. However, coming here for 4 years to help resurrect a program, only to turn around and leave and also drag another integral assistant along with you is a low blow. This is a team you supposedly cared for during your time here, and the response is to leave and also stick another knife in their back on the way out? Of course, this may not at all be how things went down -- all of this is rumor at this point and nothing has actually happened -- but appearances can be just as meaningful as the actual events. Unless this is one big scheme to help your good buddy get paid (by Illinois) as you walk out the door, it looks and feels like he's lighting a match to the home he just helped finish building.

(FWIW, I'm of the opinion that we'll be fine -- while weathering a few bumps -- b/c BU is really good, but I do think how all of this is going down is really, really slimy. That's the name of the game though.)

This is all fan nonsense trying to convince yourself that Illinois is some special place that guys should want to stay at for lower pay. Should Underwood have stayed at Oklahoma State for more than one year? Seems kind of "slimy" or a "low blow" to leave after only one year at your first big job. Or maybe he didn't get the compensation he needed and someone at a program as good or better was willing to and he'd be an idiot to pass it up for no reason other than "appearances."

These so-called "optics" and "appearances" are imaginary scenarios fans create in their minds then try to attribute to reality. It's all in your minds.

 

[Illini1984]

This is part of life, people leave jobs all the time. People even leave the state for new jobs. Honestly, the taxes here in Illinois are through the roof compared to what they are in other states so I don’t blame them for taking a better opportunity elsewhere. It feels like a huge raise when you compare what your paying in taxes here than say in a state that’s more tax friendly. We’ll be fine though. I’m confident BU will find two qualified replacements.

 

[Ubermensch]

This is part of life, people leave jobs all the time. People even leave the state for a new jobs. Honestly, the taxes here in Illinois are through the roof compared to what they are in other states so I don’t blame them for taking a better opportunity elsewhere. It feels like a huge raise when you compare what your paying in taxes here than in a state that’s more tax friendly. We’ll be fine though. I’m confident BU will find two qualified replacements.

Imagine making more money, paying lower taxes, and getting a more prestigious position where you can work just as hard only with potentially better results on top of it. "Oh my God, what about optics! What about these visions that occur only in my head!"

 

[FollowMeDontFollowMe]

His literal job is reporting on college hoops. I am reasonably certain he has actual sources.

He’s not a scoop guy though. For example, Terry Johnson to Purdue was on the Gold and Black Rivals forum yesterday reported by Brian. Then Goodman today tweets the news via “sources” simultaneously with Purdue making the official announcement.

 

[WeWillWhen]

The expectations at Kentucky are higher than anywhere else, bar none. Last year was only their third losing season in the past 100 years, and the worst result since 1927. You can be damn well certain that if Cal doesn't immediately turn things around next season, he will be on the hot seat. For $8.5 million/year, they expect results. Only wish the Illinois admin cared as much.

 

[Noblesville Illini]

This is all fan nonsense trying to convince yourself that Illinois is some special place that guys should want to stay at for lower pay. Should Underwood have stayed at Oklahoma State for more than one year? Seems kind of "slimy" or a "low blow" to leave after only one year at your first big job. Or maybe he didn't get the compensation he needed and someone at a program as good or better was willing to and he'd be an idiot to pass it up for no reason other than "appearances."

These so-called "optics" and "appearances" are imaginary scenarios fans create in their minds then try to attribute to reality. It's all in your minds.

He left because his boss lied to him. He was expecting the university to negotiate his new salary based on the last year's agreement ........."if I turn the program around, will you consider a salary adjustment??...............Yes." One year later after going from 12-20 to 20-12, the AD wouldn't hear it, so he started looking. So would I. If you can't trust your boss................LEAVE.