Illinois Football Recruiting Thread

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#276      
Mike Thomas was the undoing of both the football and basketball programs at the UofI and he not only decimated the teams but recruiting was dead

Weber had done plenty to harm the bball program by then. It was done. The football program was far in the cellar by Thomas time

He didn't tear down anything, but he was terrible at coaching hires
 
#277      
Weber had done plenty to harm the bball program by then. It was done. The football program was far in the cellar by Thomas time

He didn't tear down anything, but he was terrible at coaching hires
Mike Thomas didn't belong anywhere near the helm of a major (or crappy minor) college athletic department....an incompetent, acerbic tool. He must have had pictures of someone somewhere to have ever made it to the level he did, it certainly wasn't based on merit or likeability. After Illinois, he "retired" from Cleveland State after only 2 years. Fool me twice....
 
#278      
Mike Thomas didn't belong anywhere near the helm of a major (or crappy minor) college athletic department....an incompetent, acerbic tool. He must have had pictures of someone somewhere to have ever made it to the level he did, it certainly wasn't based on merit or likeability. After Illinois, he "retired" from Cleveland State after only 2 years. Fool me twice....
The thing that's hard to reconcile is, he was highly successful at both Akron and UC before he came here. He made great hires at both places and left both in much better position than when he arrived.
 
#279      
The thing that's hard to reconcile is, he was highly successful at both Akron and UC before he came here. He made great hires at both places and left both in much better position than when he arrived.
There is something extra required to be an AD at Illinois. I’m not Lauren what it is, but JW seems to have it, and Mike Thomas did not. The bad match up kept Basketball and Football a dumpster fire, and it flat out ruined Mike Thomas.

He was a really good AD before taking the reigns (won major awards, in fact). Then he came here and is for all intents and purposes, unhireable now.
 
#280      
There is something extra required to be an AD at Illinois. I’m not Lauren what it is, but JW seems to have it, and Mike Thomas did not. The bad match up kept Basketball and Football a dumpster fire, and it flat out ruined Mike Thomas.

He was a really good AD before taking the reigns (won major awards, in fact). Then he came here and is for all intents and purposes, unhireable now.
I agree with you - JW has the it factor and MT was a dumpster fire. People do get lucky, but he was too successful too many times at UC and Akron to attribute it all to luck.
 
#281      
What is the general consensus regarding the recruiting class as a whole? Are we seeing hopeful improvement in comparison to past few recruiting classes? I just haven't had a chance to do the research to get any sort of feel for where BB's recruiting successes or failures stand.
 
#284      

Illinivek23

Gurnee
Sounded like his entry into the portal was a bit knee-jerk as well, per HC Pittman.

Would be good to know if there was interest on our end, tho'
 
#286      
What is the general consensus regarding the recruiting class as a whole? Are we seeing hopeful improvement in comparison to past few recruiting classes? I just haven't had a chance to do the research to get any sort of feel for where BB's recruiting successes or failures stand.
The consensus is that it isn't anything special, but as good as Lovie's beat classes. There is some optimism as we can clearly see a strategy in offering and getting some BIG OL and RBs along with some DBs. Also a huge push to recruit the state.

BB has us feeling like we will have an identity and in that we feel like we can get players that will help us and develop because we know what to expect out of them
 
#288      
BB has a proven track record of finding OL and developing them. Looks raw but is a monster from watching a few videos. Has 3 years of eligibility which is a plus.

There is a chance Crisler might not pan out. Same time look what BB did with Ricky Wagner when at Wisconsin. No star recruit who was a TE in high school and turned him into stud O-Line and got drafted in 5th Rd by time he left Wisconsin. The more nasty we can get on the line the better. If he does commit and just a depth piece than so be it.
 
#290      
BB has a proven track record of finding OL and developing them. Looks raw but is a monster from watching a few videos. Has 3 years of eligibility which is a plus.

There is a chance Crisler might not pan out. Same time look what BB did with Ricky Wagner when at Wisconsin. No star recruit who was a TE in high school and turned him into stud O-Line and got drafted in 5th Rd by time he left Wisconsin. The more nasty we can get on the line the better. If he does commit and just a depth piece than so be it.
Crisler and Adams would be a couple massive guards. A power running game could really benefit from that kinda size inside.
 
#295      
One phrase not in the BB playbook......
 

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#298      
Partially disagreeing. Weber was the start of the demise of the basketball program. Thomas finalized the demise. But JW and BB have the football program rising. Recruits are going to come here to succeed.
I will partially disagree firing Weber mid season was both detrimental to the kids and program firing Weber was not wrong but the timing decimated recruiting for years to come I feel the same about Zook that was in no way helpful to either program
 
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