Why is it necessary to pretend that losing all three assistant coaches is a good thing, especially given the DIA’s efforts to retain them? Why is it necessary to pretend that it’s obvious Alexander will be a better AC than Gentry, despite the fact that Underwood made Gentry, not Alexander, the AC? Why can’t we just say that Underwood has certain leadership skills, but retaining talent isn’t at the top of the list? What I find idiotic, to use your word, is the refusal to acknowledge that things are less than perfect despite obvious, visible problems.
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Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
Obvious to you = the definitive truth? Because……
He's worked with Kofi all along not necessarily primarily is what I have gleaned.
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Acknowledged. Make lemonade out of lemons AND understand this is a different group. Hasn't been ideal but it doesn't mean we can't turn it into a positive. That's mho.
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Unless I overlooked a post, literally no one is saying it’s a “good thing”.
It is a college coaching thing. There is not a single CBB program without internal issues. Like any other group dynamic in existence. There will always be competing and conflicting personalities.
The idiocy comes from people who love drama and will create fictional story lines and insert them into some small personal dynamic or perceived “problem”, like a staff turnover, in order to feed that drama. Or stretch the truth to fit some alternate narrative. Zero facts. Zero personal knowledge.
It is the lifeblood of Twitter, Facebook, and Tiktok.
I have confidence in whoever Underwood decides to bring on. Give the new hires time to prove themselves. Chester already appears to be putting in good work.
Wonder if we would consider going after G league coach talent....I.e Paul Hewitt, Tom Hankins, etc....Charlie Henry at Alabama is a success story on this (former Windy City coach)
Pretty much sums up the thoughts and feelings of a huge % of this board
Underwood has done an amazing job thus far. From obscurity to Natinoal conversation. Top 25 again this year and if Kofi comes back, Final Four. I love the Frazier hire. If any of you pay attention to the people in the know (Joe Hendrickson), Frazier is one of the best assistants in the country. Alexander has contacts with Meanstreats and they are loaded in the next few years. If we get Irvin from Western, he has the strongest ties possible with Mac Irvin Fire. Chicago could be back on lockdown like it was with Jimmy Collins. Plus Underwood still has one more coaching vacancy to fill.
We heard a lot about trying to retain OA and to a lesser extent Chin. We didn’t really hear a lot about them fighting to keep Gentry. It is entirely plausible Underwood realized Gentry understands the game of basketball very well but isn’t suited to be an assistant where prob half of the job is relationship building.
Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
Why is it necessary to pretend you can keep Kentucky and Gonzaga from recruiting your coaches? If everything you say is true, why is it necessary to pretend that it is the wrong approach? From Day One Underwood has hammered home the point that he intends to build a culture, a way of doing things, and so far he has succeeded very well. In 4 years he took a dumpster fire to a #1 seed. What, exactly, is he doing the wrong way?
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Nice post and as one of that huge % of posters I fully recommend a more liberal use of the ignore feature to lessen the drama that abounds on this board since the loss in the dancePretty much sums up the thoughts and feelings of a huge % of this board
Many newbies here seem to desire to raise tensions instead of discussing opinions
JMHO and no disrespect intended towards anyone,
Rule # 1, always about the money.
Is it really not possible to hang on to AC's? I hope not. Because it's more than just Kentucky and Gonzaga out there. Hopefully we don't lose coaches after every good season.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Bolded 1: Strawman. Haven’t seen a single person argue that.
Bolded 2: Underwood’s lacks the ability to retain talent? You mean like how, at the moment, we have 2 players in the transfer portal, while the national average is 3.2 players per team? (in the midst of all 3 assistants moving on to other programs
Or how Gentry worked for Underwood on 4 separate occasions? (At Stephen F Austin, Oklahoma St, in a non-recruiting role here, then again as an assistant coach here, after having left for a non-recruiting role with Gonzaga)?
Or how Alexander played for Coach Underwood, then was an assistant for coach Underwood at Daytona St, then worked for Underwood in a non-recruiting role here, before being promoted to assistant coach?
Or how both Coach Chin & Antigua worked for Underwood for 4 years each, before being pulled away by the top College Basketball Institution in the nation?
Yep, you’re right. Seems like a guy who really struggles to keep talent around him.
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Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
I can't offer you any insight on how to grapple with the voices in your head.
sacraig
- The desert
It's awfully hard when the programs in question are two of the most successful in recent history (and in one case, of all time).
It's not like Northwestern is poaching our coaches or anything.
Agree....I for one enjoy the opinions and various takes on Illini basketball program.....some make you roll your eyes and wonder...while others make you pause and think, you know that just might be possible....I had not thought of that.....being exposed to new ideas isn't all bad, and can be very entertaining
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
And skyldub not only is Loyalty’s best “gifer,” but also an arbiter of great wisdom...
He’s a little obsessed with money, sex, and power, but otherwise, yeah, I agree.
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