Illini Football 2024

[Indy Illini Fan]

I love this hire, so much better than getting some guy from the NFL

Agree ... We needed a guy who could hit the trail ...

Think Bret has learned his lesson on going the NFL route ... Didn't hire an NFL guy this cycle ...

Young coaches ... All with good development traits and experience on the trail ...

 

[mhuml32]

On its own, I love this hire. I think Parker is a strong up-and-comer. The question is why Bielema wanted experience this fall but doesn't now.

 

[Mr. Tibbs]

On its own, I love this hire. I think Parker is a strong up-and-comer. The question is why Bielema wanted experience this fall but doesn't now.

 

[mhuml32]

Now that the staff is full again, I would argue the only change I would want to make based on the new staff would be to bring to reverse the Buh decision. The rest, with the expectation that Bullen was only going to be here for a short period of time, seem like positive changes.

 

[WeWillWhen]

https://jeffb59.substack.com/p/is-t...mpaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Not sure how connected Jeff is still but a few names thrown out there for possible DB coach. Out of those names, Josh Conklin has to be the biggest get but Melvin Rice and Ross Watson would be solid hires as well.

They didn't hire any of the six names that Jeff said were under consideration, so I guess he isn't too connected. His newsletter is entertaining, though.

 

[KingWolf11]

On its own, I love this hire. I think Parker is a strong up-and-comer. The question is why Bielema wanted experience this fall but doesn't now.

I think he learned they flopped hard in recruiting the portal last year

 

[BZuppke]

Michigan being so far down that list gives me a glimmer of hope that if we play our best game we can beat them, despite the overall talent disparity.

We will beat them.

 

[Old.Edgy]

When is the presser ?

 

[TentakilRex]

It seems whenever a G5 plays Illinois close (or beats them), the Illini poaches one of their coaches: see Lunney and Parker.

(I know Lunney had a former connection to Bielema but don't kill the joke)

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

I think he learned they flopped hard in recruiting the portal last year

Bret definitely was WAY more aggressive in both of these portal windows … I think we’re gonna wind up with 8 starters potentially out of the portal …

 

[IlliDan]

I think too much is made about the need for def. assts. with coordinator experience.BB has his hands all over this defense,he will mentor Henry as needed.Too many cooks in kitchen can cause issues also.Hope the promising group of asst.'s will improve overall recruiting and continue developing talent.

 

[KingWolf11]

Bret definitely was WAY more aggressive in both of these portal windows … I think we’re gonna wind up with 8 starters potentially out of the portal …

 

[TheChief4Life]

Am I wrong for having my outlook for this upcoming year go from mildly pessimistic to kinda optimistic over the past 24-48 hours?

 

[therealmiket86]

Hopefully Gibbs can come back as an analyst.

 

[SCillini]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1790123614420848828

Underwhelmed by this hire. HS coaching success and two years at Toledo(Beckman jokes aside). Inherited a great talent in Mitchell, and coached him up. Not that different than the Spoon situation, in that sometimes the talent is so good, it doesn’t matter who the coach is. I preferred an experienced hire that can coach up our beat down secondary, opposed to an up and comer with potential to be good. I don’t mind being wrong though .

 

[illini0440]

Underwhelmed by this hire. HS coaching success and two years at Toledo(Beckman jokes aside). Inherited a great talent in Mitchell, and coached him up. Not that different than the Spoon situation, in that sometimes the talent is so good, it doesn’t matter who the coach is. I preferred an experienced hire that can coach up our beat down secondary, opposed to an up and comer with potential to be good. I don’t mind being wrong though .

I get the skepticism but people in the industry think this is a great hire by Bret. They love Parker

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

Hopefully Gibbs can come back as an analyst.

That is the hope ...

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

I get the skepticism but people in the industry think this is a great hire by Bret. They love Parker

Agree ... I have gotten nothing but positive feedback when I've asked around ... And that is definitely not always the case ...

 

[Simeon Rice]

Bret definitely was WAY more aggressive in both of these portal windows … I think we’re gonna wind up with 8 starters potentially out of the portal …

No brainers:
1) CB Brooks
2) OL Davis
3) TE Rusk
4) WR Franklin*

Likely:
5) OL Priestly

Others
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

In consideration: Wigenton, Briggs, others not committed yet

*Not committed yet

 

[Toews]

Probably learn a lot after the Kansas game. Even if we lose if we play well it’ll be very encouraging.

 

[therealmiket86]

No brainers:
1) CB Brooks
2) OL Davis
3) TE Rusk
4) WR Franklin*

Likely:
5) OL Priestly

Others
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?

In consideration: Wigenton, Briggs, others not committed yet

*Not committed yet

Briggs and priestly will start. Wigenton also has a chance to start

 

[therealmiket86]

That is the hope ...

Losing Buh and Leonhard hurts. Two guys with a ton of experience to help Ahen. Let’s hope we can add atleast 1 analyst that like that. Personally I was hoping for Cooks or Conklin, a veteran coach that would come in and coach safeties. Regardless I trust Brett

 

[TheDrinkinLincoln]

Losing Buh and Leonhard hurts. Two guys with a ton of experience to help Ahen. Let’s hope we can add atleast 1 analyst that like that. Personally I was hoping for Cooks or Conklin, a veteran coach that would come in and coach safeties. Regardless I trust Brett

There may be some truth to too many cooks in the kitchen. AHen might have been too deferential to BB, Buh, and Leonard which made him less confident in how he wanted to gameplan and call games. Not everyone has that Walters swagger that can be confident in a room of alpha-dogs.

Also guessing Brett saw some growth in AHen this spring that made him feel he could go with another young guy instead of a wizened vet. I'm all for this staff getting younger and better at recruiting. We have all seen everyone complain how we aren't keeping up with recruiting rankings and you need young engaging staff with deep pockets if you want that to happen.

 

[therealmiket86]

There may be some truth to too many cooks in the kitchen. AHen might have been too deferential to BB, Buh, and Leonard which made him less confident in how he wanted to gameplan and call games. Not everyone has that Walters swagger that can be confident in a room of alpha-dogs.

Also guessing Brett saw some growth in AHen this spring that made him feel he could go with another young guy instead of a wizened vet. I'm all for this staff getting younger and better at recruiting. We have all seen everyone complain how we aren't keeping up with recruiting rankings and you need young engaging staff with deep pockets if you want that to happen.

Schematically our defense was very bad last year and we were unorganized. The defensive backs looked lost out there. The original staff had Kane, Buh and Walters. All of them had play calling experience.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Forgive my total ignorance, but it seems like we have improved our ceiling a bit lately? Maybe not? I saw a lot of fans predicting between 4-6 wins ... anyone feel we can be playing for 7 this season? I think getting more than 6 wins would be a MUCH needed re-establishing of momentum at a critical time.