Coaching Carousel

[the juiceman cometh]

Now that the news has broken on other media outlets, I’ve seen more people saying part of the reason they are leaving is because they don’t like Gentry.

I know this was bounced around some on this board, was it confirmed? Can it be confirmed?

If this is the case, and Gentry also leaves, then what kind of curse does this school have that prevented Gentry from getting poached before OA and Chin?

 

[wettsten]

the narrative in november when kentucky is winning: "they're clearly only winning because of the illinois assistants"

 

[Centennial Illini]

Everybody, please step back from the ledge.

4 years ago JW pilfered a coach from a good P5 program.

That coach hired a top shelf assistant and an unknown assistant

4 years later we are a #1 seed

The top two people are still here, we are going to be alright but the insanity of some of the things you read here is stunning. No one can work with Gentry, Underwood can't get along with his staff, this happens every day 10,000 times in the business world and nobody gives it a second thought.

We will be different but fine.

 

[skyIdub]

I’ll go.

1. Boston Red Sox
2. Green Bay Packers
3. LA Lakers
4. University of Kentucky MBB
5. Duke MBB

EDIT:
Honorable mentions:
LA Lakers, Raiders fans, STL Cardinals (don’t @ me, I am one), Mizzou anything, Michigan football, Hoosier anything, Cubs fans

Any list that does not include NY Yankmees and Philadelphia Eagles fans is a non starter.

There is no way Packers fans are even in the top 10 worst fan bases. Cowboys fans are absolutely in the top ten.

Oh, and Coaching Carousel stuff....

 

[partial popliteus]

Everybody, please step back from the ledge.

4 years ago JW pilfered a coach from a good P5 program.

That coach hired a top shelf assistant and an unknown assistant

4 years later we are a #1 seed

The top two people are still here, we are going to be alright but the insanity of some of the things you read here is stunning. No one can work with Gentry, Underwood can't get along with his staff, this happens every day 10,000 times in the business world and nobody gives it a second thought.

We will be different but fine.

I find your reasonableness insulting. This is illinois loyalty dammit.

(/s)

 

[zuma]

As long as Curbelo is here running the show, I'll remain excited for what is ahead! Go Illini.

 

[foby]

I'd be very happy to see Chest and Magellan as the new ACs.

 

[Flight33]

Chet and Mennenga would be fantastic additions.

What about Chet, Mennenga, and Rev? Not skipping a beat if we got those three. And, two of them have a personal contact with UI. Would be sweet.

 

[orange100]

I'd be very happy to see Chest and Magellan as the new ACs.

Chest and Magellan. Glorious autocorrect. Logged in just so I could like this.

 

[WhiteHorseWings]

Ugh just remember I have to go to a wedding in Lexington this weekend. Hopefully I don’t fight some of my fiancé’s friends

Enjoy the Big Red

 

[Action10]

What about Chet, Mennenga, and Rev? Not skipping a beat if we got those three. And, two of them have a personal contact with UI. Would be sweet.

How would we not miss a beat? Losing those assistant coaches isn't the end of the world, but they aren't that easily replaced either.

 

[Flight33]

How would we not miss a beat? Losing those assistant coaches isn't the end of the world, but they aren't that easily replaced either.

Because of the quality of the three coming in. Because we have a strong team with a great freshman class and two outstanding recruits for next year. Plus, the possibility that our All-American center returns and we still have a spot for another transfer. And, the AD and head coach are in place. That's how.

 

[FromTheLogo]

Because of the quality of the three coming in. Because we have a strong team with a great freshman class and two outstanding recruits for next year. Plus, the possibility that our All-American center returns and we still have a spot for another transfer. And, the AD and head coach are in place. That's how.

So the newcomers will know the players, staff, facilities, university, B1G opponents, etc, etc as well as those who have been around a few years developing these relationships and knowledge?

As optimistic as I wanna be, Underwood has only 24 hours a day. Bringing 3 guys up to speed takes time. It won't sink the ship, but it won't be just smooth sailing.

 

[2020FinalFour]

Cannot wait until the new Assistants are hired. Then we can look to the future. As for Gentry leaving, if he does, there is a chance Underwood hires a mentor of a top 5 PF. When given Lemons make the proper hire to improve the team.

 

[Heisenbobble]

Cannot wait until the new Assistants are hired. Then we can look to the future. As for Gentry leaving, if he does, there is a chance Underwood hires a mentor of a top 5 PF. When given Lemons make the proper hire to improve the team.

Top-5 HS recruit or transfer? If it's Mitchell, no way Underwood hires Bergeron. I just can't see that happening.

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

I mean barring us losing more players, this hasn't been all that disappointing of an off-season. Kentucky has the funds and a coach that has experience at all levels, who knows how to get AC's to the NBA. This was bound to happen eventually. Meanwhile, we've added some solid recruits and transfers to keep us in the top 25 again next year.

Last couple months includes the early exit.

 

[Action10]

Because of the quality of the three coming in. Because we have a strong team with a great freshman class and two outstanding recruits for next year. Plus, the possibility that our All-American center returns and we still have a spot for another transfer. And, the AD and head coach are in place. That's how.

Which of those three coaches is considered the best recruiter in the country? I must have missed something...

 

[the juiceman cometh]

Everybody, please step back from the ledge.

4 years ago JW pilfered a coach from a good P5 program.

That coach hired a top shelf assistant and an unknown assistant

4 years later we are a #1 seed

The top two people are still here, we are going to be alright but the insanity of some of the things you read here is stunning. No one can work with Gentry, Underwood can't get along with his staff, this happens every day 10,000 times in the business world and nobody gives it a second thought.

We will be different but fine.

I agree we will be fine. BU is a quality head coach, JW is a quality AD, and Illinois basketball will continue to compete. I believe this. I also believe that had OA and Chin stayed 2 or 3 more years, we would be in even better shape, and we'd be more likely to finally experience a national championship. Not saying it would have happened for sure, not saying it won't happen because they're gone, I just think the odds are better if they'd stayed a little longer while the program established itself a little more. And the fact that our quality head coach and quality AD were willing to pay AO over $1 million a year for 4 years does indicate my opinion on this is not unfounded. It can both be true that we are fine, but we could have been better off.

I'll also never understand why highly optimistic people are so bothered by the doom and gloom takes. If the world is all sunshine and rainbows, why on earth let someone expressing concern on a internet message board let you down? I think this is how people vent, and that's all good, man. Just like it's all good that everything is hunky dory on your end.

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

There are more than a couple posters who say something along the lines of "We will be fine."

I don't want our program to be "fine". I want it to be excellent. I want perennial top 25s, more than occasional top 10s, challenging for the big ten title in 4 out of 5 years. And I'd like to finally get that championship.

I want to see again the 80's or the streak under Self and Weber. Those years weren't "fine".

If in saying we will "be fine" means what I said above, great. But the word "fine" for Illinois basketball means mediocrity to me and gives me no consolation.

 

[alexander58]

There are more than a couple posters who say something along the lines of "We will be fine."

I don't want our program to be "fine". I want it to be excellent. I want perennial top 25s, more than occasional top 10s, challenging for the big ten title in 4 out of 5 years. And I'd like to finally get that championship.

I want to see again the 80's or the streak under Self and Weber. Those years weren't "fine".

If in saying we will "be fine" means what I said above, great. But the word "fine" for Illinois basketball means mediocrity to me and gives me no consolation.

I find this post to be... fine.

 

[KnoxIllini2]

There are more than a couple posters who say something along the lines of "We will be fine."

I don't want our program to be "fine". I want it to be excellent. I want perennial top 25s, more than occasional top 10s, challenging for the big ten title in 4 out of 5 years. And I'd like to finally get that championship.

I want to see again the 80's or the streak under Self and Weber. Those years weren't "fine".

If in saying we will "be fine" means what I said above, great. But the word "fine" for Illinois basketball means mediocrity to me and gives me no consolation.

Bret you a beach house or two that we will be just fine.

 

[foby]

There are more than a couple posters who say something along the lines of "We will be fine."

I don't want our program to be "fine". I want it to be excellent. I want perennial top 25s, more than occasional top 10s, challenging for the big ten title in 4 out of 5 years. And I'd like to finally get that championship.

I want to see again the 80's or the streak under Self and Weber. Those years weren't "fine".

If in saying we will "be fine" means what I said above, great. But the word "fine" for Illinois basketball means mediocrity to me and gives me no consolation.

 

[WizardBill]

That’s true......but we aren’t replacing the Chin of 4 years ago.

No knock on Chester.....if he is hired I hope he is great.

I guess my expectations were that we were going to go after some higher profile guys. That’s all. Hate to see our momentum slow.....maybe it is inevitable having to replace who we have to replace.

You have anyone in mind?

We ARE replacing Chin of 4 years ago. That’s the guy who left. Who did he bring in four years ago? What if CF brought in comparable?

CC and OA are gone. They left. We will get replacements. I have to trust JW and BU. I’m guessing that they know for what to look in an AC. After all, they got CC and OA.

Just remember, “In Brad We Trust.”

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

There are more than a couple posters who say something along the lines of "We will be fine."

I don't want our program to be "fine". I want it to be excellent. I want perennial top 25s, more than occasional top 10s, challenging for the big ten title in 4 out of 5 years. And I'd like to finally get that championship.

I want to see again the 80's or the streak under Self and Weber. Those years weren't "fine".

If in saying we will "be fine" means what I said above, great. But the word "fine" for Illinois basketball means mediocrity to me and gives me no consolation.

 

[sacraig]

There are more than a couple posters who say something along the lines of "We will be fine."

I don't want our program to be "fine". I want it to be excellent. I want perennial top 25s, more than occasional top 10s, challenging for the big ten title in 4 out of 5 years. And I'd like to finally get that championship.

I want to see again the 80's or the streak under Self and Weber. Those years weren't "fine".

If in saying we will "be fine" means what I said above, great. But the word "fine" for Illinois basketball means mediocrity to me and gives me no consolation.

The key here is that our own standard of "fine" needs to be excellence. That ought to be the baseline, like it used to be.

So hopefully when said posters say we will be fine, that's what they mean.