Deleted member 747671
D
Guest
So is the Chin situation tied directly to OA? Why not finalize him first, if possible?
We have no idea if they are trying to do this or not. At least, most of us don't.So is the Chin situation tied directly to OA? Why not finalize him first, if possible?
Very well said.Assistant coaches are not fungible. Sure, you might be able to find someone who can recruit at OA's level. And you might be able to find someone who can develop big men like he can. But this bidding war is proof that two experienced head coaches and their respective ADs don't think you can easily identify someone who offers the same combination of skills that OA brings to the table.
OA's recruiting and development are consistently mentioned on here. When you go over to the UK boards, they also talk endlessly about OA's talent evaluation abilities. Since OA's departure, UK has continued to bring in highly-rated classes, but those rosters haven't functioned well and they have had more than their expected share of "busts." We've seen the opposite these last two seasons. We are seeing rosters that come together beautifully over the course of the season and many of our players are playing to or exceeding expectations.
Someone who is elite in identifying talent, attracting talent, and developing talent is going to be worth a lot. A whole heckuva lot. That sure sounds like a fair description of the best assistant coach in the country to me. We lose OA, then fine, we do our best to identify our next best replacement. But until he tells us no, you treat him like the "franchise player" he is.
Along those lines, are Chin and OA a package deal for UK? Like, if we successfully retain OA, does UK continue to pursue Chin or is their interest in him contingent on also getting OA?So is the Chin situation tied directly to OA? Why not finalize him first, if possible?
Can I upvote this, like 1000 times?Assistant coaches are not fungible. Sure, you might be able to find someone who can recruit at OA's level. And you might be able to find someone who can develop big men like he can. But this bidding war is proof that two experienced head coaches and their respective ADs don't think you can easily identify someone who offers the same combination of skills that OA brings to the table.
OA's recruiting and development are consistently mentioned on here. When you go over to the UK boards, they also talk endlessly about OA's talent evaluation abilities. Since OA's departure, UK has continued to bring in highly-rated classes, but those rosters haven't functioned well and they have had more than their expected share of "busts." We've seen the opposite these last two seasons. We are seeing rosters that come together beautifully over the course of the season and many of our players are playing to or exceeding expectations.
Someone who is elite in identifying talent, attracting talent, and developing talent is going to be worth a lot. A whole heckuva lot. That sure sounds like a fair description of the best assistant coach in the country to me. We lose OA, then fine, we do our best to identify our next best replacement. But until he tells us no, you treat him like the "franchise player" he is.
Assistant coaches are not fungible. Sure, you might be able to find someone who can recruit at OA's level. And you might be able to find someone who can develop big men like he can. But this bidding war is proof that two experienced head coaches and their respective ADs don't think you can easily identify someone who offers the same combination of skills that OA brings to the table.
OA's recruiting and development are consistently mentioned on here. When you go over to the UK boards, they also talk endlessly about OA's talent evaluation abilities. Since OA's departure, UK has continued to bring in highly-rated classes, but those rosters haven't functioned well and they have had more than their expected share of "busts." We've seen the opposite these last two seasons. We are seeing rosters that come together beautifully over the course of the season and many of our players are playing to or exceeding expectations.
Someone who is elite in identifying talent, attracting talent, and developing talent is going to be worth a lot. A whole heckuva lot. That sure sounds like a fair description of the best assistant coach in the country to me. We lose OA, then fine, we do our best to identify our next best replacement. But until he tells us no, you treat him like the "franchise player" he is.
Yep. Even if we have to look hard for a silver lining, having a publicized bidding war over an assistant shows future prospective employees that U of I values and is willing to reward those who perform at a high level.
Best part about this, even if OA does indeed decide to head back to UK... this will be every high- caliber assistant coach's reaction now when they see a missed call from BU/JW.
We might truly be in the process of shaking our "University of East Central Illinois" reputation, guys and gals.
As a fan base, we've become adept at rationalizing finishing second best. Michigan didn't play enough games. Loyola was underseeded. And if we get beaten for Antigua, that will somehow demonstrate our seriousness.
Best part about this, even if OA does indeed decide to head back to UK... this will be every high- caliber assistant coach's reaction now when they see a missed call from BU/JW.
We might truly be in the process of shaking our "University of East Central Illinois" reputation, guys and gals.
We haven't, but with them, we likely have a better chance to.As a fan base, we've become adept at rationalizing finishing second best. Michigan didn't play enough games. Loyola was underseeded. And if we get beaten for Antigua, that will somehow demonstrate our seriousness.
In the fan bases of more successful programs, these would all be disappointing outcomes.
BU, OA, Chin et al have done an excellent job at Illinois, but we talk about retaining staff like we're protecting some unassailable dynasty. We have not reached such heights that it warrants paying assistants more than anyone's ever been paid before.
But by paying the highest assistant salaries in college basketball history Illinois will be closer to reaching those heights.As a fan base, we've become adept at rationalizing finishing second best. Michigan didn't play enough games. Loyola was underseeded. And if we get beaten for Antigua, that will somehow demonstrate our seriousness.
In the fan bases of more successful programs, these would all be disappointing outcomes.
BU, OA, Chin et al have done an excellent job at Illinois, but we talk about retaining staff like we're protecting some unassailable dynasty. We have not reached such heights that it warrants paying assistants more than anyone's ever been paid before.
The potential is clearly there, though. It's not for nothing that UK, even being who/what they are, is trying to get these guys. We may not have reached the promised land yet, but we have the guys to get us there, and it would be in our best interest to do whatever we can to keep them. If nothing else (as has been mentioned), it sends a message to other top guys that we're ready to be a truly top program nationally.As a fan base, we've become adept at rationalizing finishing second best. Michigan didn't play enough games. Loyola was underseeded. And if we get beaten for Antigua, that will somehow demonstrate our seriousness.
In the fan bases of more successful programs, these would all be disappointing outcomes.
BU, OA, Chin et al have done an excellent job at Illinois, but we talk about retaining staff like we're protecting some unassailable dynasty. We have not reached such heights that it warrants paying assistants more than anyone's ever been paid before.
So which is it? We fail if we lose OA to UK, or we fail if we pay him what it would take to retain him? One thing I am absolutely sure of is that we can't do both.As a fan base, we've become adept at rationalizing finishing second best. Michigan didn't play enough games. Loyola was underseeded. And if we get beaten for Antigua, that will somehow demonstrate our seriousness.
In the fan bases of more successful programs, these would all be disappointing outcomes.
BU, OA, Chin et al have done an excellent job at Illinois, but we talk about retaining staff like we're protecting some unassailable dynasty. We have not reached such heights that it warrants paying assistants more than anyone's ever been paid before.
How will you reach such heights by not paying the very best assistants the very best salaries???As a fan base, we've become adept at rationalizing finishing second best. Michigan didn't play enough games. Loyola was underseeded. And if we get beaten for Antigua, that will somehow demonstrate our seriousness.
In the fan bases of more successful programs, these would all be disappointing outcomes.
BU, OA, Chin et al have done an excellent job at Illinois, but we talk about retaining staff like we're protecting some unassailable dynasty. We have not reached such heights that it warrants paying assistants more than anyone's ever been paid before.
That's one way to look at it. Another way is to say a top 10 program is coming after some of our best employees. If we are all about joining that company, we can't let a few dollars be the reason they can swoop in and take our talent.WestSuburbanIllini: "We might truly be in the process of shaking our "University of East Central Illinois" reputation..."
Coach Underwood: “We’re a Top Ten program. We should ACT like it... We’ve got to continue to act like ‘The Duke’s and whoever you wanna talk about...”
One way to act like a Top Ten program is to not obsess over what any one individual (or two) decide to do with their lives. Have a foundation of confidence and pride and a program that’s all about bringing out the best in all the talent who choose to go there. Emphasis on: Program. Not any individual.
Josh Whitman and Coach Underwood have been all about healing the wounds of past Illini disappointments. They could hardly have done a better job up until now. These are intelligent guys who have proven they know how to get results... Acting Like a Top Ten Program. They "Get It".
And with that attitude, we never willWe have not reached such heights that it warrants paying assistants more than anyone's ever been paid before.
If the top programs don't obsess over individuals, then what do you call Kentucky? B/c their fan base has been rabid about OA on the interwebs for weeks now. Until 3 days ago, I can almost guarantee you their fans were talking more about OA than our fans were.One way to act like a Top Ten program is to not obsess over what any one individual (or two) decide to do with their lives.
Good one OlafEveryone needs to relax. According to Bill Walton, this is the only difference between Illinois and Kentucky that matters ...
View attachment 8795
As a fan base, we've become adept at rationalizing finishing second best. Michigan didn't play enough games. Loyola was underseeded. And if we get beaten for Antigua, that will somehow demonstrate our seriousness.
In the fan bases of more successful programs, these would all be disappointing outcomes.
BU, OA, Chin et al have done an excellent job at Illinois, but we talk about retaining staff like we're protecting some unassailable dynasty. We have not reached such heights that it warrants paying assistants more than anyone's ever been paid before.