Is Brad unhappy ... No ... Would Brad entertain other CBB jobs? Yes ... He has almost every year ... Outside of a blue blood or K State ... I really don't see how any program is an upgrade over ours ...
The importance of this ‘blue blood’ issue cannot be overstated. And this is a real sore point with many in Illini Nation.
The U of I can not... can not... must NOT evermore be seen by anyone as a ‘Stepping Stone’ program ever again. Not to coaches... not to fans... not to players... not to Media.
The Fighting Illini may not have the recent resume of Titles that a handful of programs we could all name have right now. But in terms of ALL of ball history... the Illini fit right up there with roundball royalty.
At one time in recent history – like it or not – the Illini were viewed as a Stepping Stone program. And we know one gentlemen in particular who ('may have') treated it as such and that still stings in many circles. And for some, many hearts were broken by what that action implied.
But the Illini have once again been elevated to one of the top programs in the Nation. And it cannot ever be allowed to slide off that perch as it has done in the past.
Going to a place that has personal or family history connections for a coach is one thing. Coach H is evidence of that between Las Cruces and Champaign. And all other coaches in the Nation have other such personal and family connections that would drive decisions about taking a position there.
But in terms of everything else being equal... the Illini Program must never allow itself to be seen as a Stepping Stone program to some (other) Blue Blood Mecca.
For if that ever happens again... the Illini might always and forever be seen as just a rest-stop on the road to a destination one would rather really want to be at. And for the Illini that should always seem not acceptable in any way, shape or form.
You are what you say you are and how you define yourself and treat yourself. The Illini must say, believe, and manifest that it is a premier roundball program that should take no second place to any other. No compromise and no exceptions.
The ‘60s anthem says it best.. “(The U of)... I - I - I’s not your Stepping Stone! No! Not Me!...