Coaching Carousel (Basketball)

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#476      
OrangeBlue98
Oldskoolkoach said:
Thanks. Any idea if Sandfort is available? He did a heckuva a job and I'd take him in some capacity, lol...
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While I think Payton Sandfort could make a great coach someday (as will Tucker DeVries - those two were high school teammates at Waukee (Iowa) high school and obviously had a lot of exposure to Tucker's dad while he was coaching at Drake), not yet. :) Would love for him to be a grad assistant or in some entry-level operational role, but at least based on his major (finance) I don't think coaching or something else with basketball is immediately in the cards for him.

But of course, Brad Stevens also had a stint in corporate finance before he decided that coaching was what he wanted to do, so I guess there's still hope.
 
#477      
RickBB
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Some i know who follow the Bradley program only think that Wardle leaves if a school offers him a better deal than what he is getting in Peoria.
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What is he getting at Bradley?

I’m a BU grad whose family has had season tickets since the 80s but don’t live locally any more, but when ever I catch a game on TV, the arena is half full. I’m sure the admin sold him on “ bring a winner and crowds will come” (BU averaged 9000+ in attendance from 95-2010 but he’s brought a consistently winning program and crowds have increased, but not to approach that point. Unfortunately, Peoria just doesn’t provide the support any more.

I just don’t see how the numbers would work to keep him from a P4 program and the resources they could provide.
 
#480      
The Sprouting Divot
splitter said:
Let's see who the two new assistants are and which players return before a trigger is pulled.
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I'm ambivalent about Underwood mainly because I have so much faith in Whitman, and I certainly see the wisdom of what you're saying (and to be clear, I am not firmly in the "new coach" camp, but am definitely not in the "this is fine" camp), but this is the recipe for returning to mediocrity in the event a change is made.

If we're going to ride the carousel, it's better to get on sooner rather than later.
 
#481      
Illini2010-11
The Sprouting Divot said:
I'm ambivalent about Underwood mainly because I have so much faith in Whitman, and I certainly see the wisdom of what you're saying (and to be clear, I am not firmly in the "new coach" camp, but am definitely not in the "this is fine" camp), but this is the recipe for returning to mediocrity in the event a change is made.

If we're going to ride the carousel, it's better to get on sooner rather than later.
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There really is not much of a choice, given the position of the Illini. In the next few weeks, there will be much more certainty behind the scenes than we are aware of for coaching staff and players. Heck, I am sure targets are already locked in for the coaching staff.

it is hard to start the process sooner when the team is safely making the tourney and given the plethora of success outside of the tourney (we are not anywhere near the situation like NC State). The only real way Brad is not head coach next year is if he decides to pursue other opportunities. If that were to happen, Illinois is certainly a hot commodity given the NIL budget, facilities, etc. We will be fine, even if we are late to the process.
 
#482      
ktal
I think complaining about Underwood after the success he has had, is a luxury. The name of the game is to keep taking cracks at a run until we hit one. Brad has been excellent at getting us to the opportunity, despite the massive changes in how rosters are built, during his tenure. Sure, he hasn't won the big one, yet. Know what he has done? Proven he can adapt. That might be the biggest skill requirement right now, because it has kept us steadily competitive during his time.

Yes, the split personality blowouts are not ideal. But half of them are going our way, which tells you something is going right.

Loyalty. It's more than letters in the address bar.
 
#483      
NarrowJ
WyattEarp said:
Harrison Ford Torch GIF
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You win the award for most appropriate GIF usage lol
 
#484      
Indy Illini Fan
#485      
The Sprouting Divot
Illini2010-11 said:
There really is not much of a choice, given the position of the Illini. In the next few weeks, there will be much more certainty behind the scenes than we are aware of for coaching staff and players. Heck, I am sure targets are already locked in for the coaching staff.

it is hard to start the process sooner when the team is safely making the tourney and given the plethora of success outside of the tourney (we are not anywhere near the situation like NC State). The only real way Brad is not head coach next year is if he decides to pursue other opportunities. If that were to happen, Illinois is certainly a hot commodity given the NIL budget, facilities, etc. We will be fine, even if we are late to the process.
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All fair points and a reasonable perspective.

If things come to a head over our assistants (and I think this is the only potential "wedge issue" that could be determinative, aside from Underwood taking the Texas, K-State, or whatever job), then that's probably going to eventually occur at a suboptimal time relative to the head start that other carousel riders would have over us.

My main point was that all else being equal, it's preferable for us to engage in a coaching search before our preferred candidates have already accepted positions elsewhere, not after. In other words, we don't want to find ourselves having to settle for whoever is left after the carousel is mostly done spinning. To me, those types of hires are inherently far more risky (not that they never work out, of course) than having an "earlier draft position."
 
#486      
Indy Illini Fan
General Carousel Update ...

NC State is clearly focused on Will Wade ... They would like to get a deal done before any of these other jobs open ...

Villanova ... Hearing Chris Collins & Richard Pitino ... No one else besides those two ...

IU ... McCollum is all I have heard lately ... Brownell is still a name but that has gotten quieter over the last 24-48 hours ...

Iowa list is DeVries, McCollum ... If Iowa can give DeVries the resources he is looking for, he will be the next HC ...

I am hearing K State could make a move ... I am hearing Texas is planning to make a move regardless of what happens or the run Terry might go on ...

Another one that I hear could be a surprising opening is UCLA ...
 
#487      
OrangeBlue98
ktal said:
I think complaining about Underwood after the success he has had, is a luxury. The name of the game is to keep taking cracks at a run until we hit one. Brad has been excellent at getting us to the opportunity, despite the massive changes in how rosters are built, during his tenure. Sure, he hasn't won the big one, yet. Know what he has done? Proven he can adapt. That might be the biggest skill requirement right now, because it has kept us steadily competitive during his time.

Yes, the split personality blowouts are not ideal. But half of them are going our way, which tells you something is going right.

Loyalty. It's more than letters in the address bar.
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The Sprouting Divot said:
All fair points and a reasonable perspective.

If things come to a head over our assistants (and I think this is the only potential "wedge issue" that could be determinative, aside from Underwood taking the Texas, K-State, or whatever job), then that's probably going to eventually occur at a suboptimal time relative to the head start that other carousel riders would have over us.

My main point was that all else being equal, it's preferable for us to engage in a coaching search before our preferred candidates have already accepted positions elsewhere, not after. In other words, we don't want to find ourselves having to settle for whoever is left after the carousel is mostly done spinning. To me, those types of hires are inherently far more risky (not that they never work out, of course) than having an "earlier draft position."
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Fair points. For me, the only thing that would really sour me on Underwood is if Whitman tells Underwood "You have to fire Hamer and bring a more qualified tactical assistant in" and Underwood tells him something like "I'm the coach, and I'll determine who is on my staff." I sincerely hope Underwood realizes he needs a staff upgrade (replacements for Jones and Hamer specifically) and we don't even come close to this situation. But given how Underwood seems set in his vision (i.e. stubborn), I don't know if that will happen.

At the end of the day, Underwood reports to Whitman and if Whitman says Underwood needs to move on something, Brad certainly has the right to say no and look elsewhere like Texas or Kansas State. But again, I really hope that doesn't happen. A total overhaul is not what Illinois needs right now. Some more tactical nous on the bench is the biggest thing needed.
 
#488      
The Sprouting Divot
ktal said:
I think complaining about Underwood after the success he has had, is a luxury. The name of the game is to keep taking cracks at a run until we hit one. Brad has been excellent at getting us to the opportunity, despite the massive changes in how rosters are built, during his tenure. Sure, he hasn't won the big one, yet. Know what he has done? Proven he can adapt. That might be the biggest skill requirement right now, because it has kept us steadily competitive during his time.

Yes, the split personality blowouts are not ideal. But half of them are going our way, which tells you something is going right.

Loyalty. It's more than letters in the address bar.
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No argument from me that Underwood hasn't brought us back from the doldrums. He deserves a ton of credit and appreciation for that, and he has my gratitude, despite what my few recent posts might otherwise suggest.

And he's done a good job adapting to the upheaval within the landscape of college basketball these past few years. And I totally agree that complaining about Underwood is a luxury, and a luxury which we directly and obviously owe him for. But time will tell whether he's hit his ceiling already or not. I truly hope to be wrong, but I suspect that perhaps he has.

But I take a bit of an exception to his ability to adapt on a smaller scale. The games where we have a solid lead but eventually piss it away (take your pick...) because of an apparent failure/unwillingness/inability to make in-game adjustments bother me just as much (maybe more?) than the blowouts.

And I take a tremendous exception to your sanctimonious "Loyalty. It's more than letters in the address bar." comment. Print it out and cram it.
 
#489      
Emerson Bigguns
OrangeBlue98 said:
While I think Payton Sandfort could make a great coach someday (as will Tucker DeVries - those two were high school teammates at Waukee (Iowa) high school and obviously had a lot of exposure to Tucker's dad while he was coaching at Drake), not yet. :) Would love for him to be a grad assistant or in some entry-level operational role, but at least based on his major (finance) I don't think coaching or something else with basketball is immediately in the cards for him.

But of course, Brad Stevens also had a stint in corporate finance before he decided that coaching was what he wanted to do, so I guess there's still hope.
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I’ll be shocked if Payton Sandfort’s next job isn’t pro basketball player. While he’s certainly not a lock for the NBA, he has enough size, and shooting ability to be a fringe prospect (G League) and certainly should have opportunities to make a great salary over seas.
 
#491      
OrangeBlue98
Emerson Bigguns said:
I’ll be shocked if Payton Sandfort’s next job isn’t pro basketball player. While he’s certainly not a lock for the NBA, he has enough size, and shooting ability to be a fringe prospect (G League) and certainly should have opportunities to make a great salary over seas.
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That's completely fair. He can really shoot, which will always give you a chance to make a roster somewhere. His game would also translate well to the overseas game.
 
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#492      
1970 John
Indy Illini Fan said:
General Carousel Update ...

NC State is clearly focused on Will Wade ... They would like to get a deal done before any of these other jobs open ...

Villanova ... Hearing Chris Collins & Richard Pitino ... No one else besides those two ...

IU ... McCollum is all I have heard lately ... Brownell is still a name but that has gotten quieter over the last 24-48 hours ...

Iowa list is DeVries, McCollum ... If Iowa can give DeVries the resources he is looking for, he will be the next HC ...

I am hearing K State could make a move ... I am hearing Texas is planning to make a move regardless of what happens or the run Terry might go on ...

Another one that I hear could be a surprising opening is UCLA ...
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Here's one WV observer's observation about DeVries going to Iowa, and per him, the only reason for DeVries to make the move is Iowa is DeVries' country road.
wvsportsnow.com

Asti: Darian DeVries Would Only Leave WVU for Iowa for One Reason

The Iowa basketball job is now open. The Hawkeyes are set to fire Fran McCaffery, dismissing their longtime head coach after a second round exit in the Big Ten Tournament. With no NCAA Tournament hopes in sight, Iowa is looking for a new direction. That’s where WVU head coach Darian DeVries...
wvsportsnow.com wvsportsnow.com
 
#495      
OrangeBlue98
Iloveorangekoolaid said:
UCLA making that move or Mick sick of traveling the country and looking for another job?
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If Mick's tired of all the travel, he better find a SEC or a regional mid-major job. It's not like the Big 12 or the ACC have small geographic footprints.
 
#496      
Illini IndyCar Fan
The Sprouting Divot said:
And he's done a good job adapting to the upheaval within the landscape of college basketball these past few years. And I totally agree that complaining about Underwood is a luxury, and a luxury which we directly and obviously owe him for. But time will tell whether he's hit his ceiling already or not. I truly hope to be wrong, but I suspect that perhaps he has.
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This is one of those situations where we get monkey pawed after Brad departs after this season, we get passed over by our targets and have to hire our 7th choice (like the Groce hire and the upcoming IU hire), and then in the March 2029 coaching carousel thread people post things like "man, I would give anything to return to the days where we were made the Elite 8, won 4 B1G conference/tourney championships, won the most games in the conference over the past 5 years, and were putting guys in the NBA" (aka Brad's ceiling) while we're talking about who should replace our failed replacement for Brad.
 
#497      
madillini4
Illini IndyCar Fan said:
This is one of those situations where we get monkey pawed after Brad departs after this season, we get passed over by our targets and have to hire our 7th choice (like the Groce hire and the upcoming IU hire), and then in the March 2029 coaching carousel thread people post things like "man, I would give anything to return to the days where we were made the Elite 8, won 4 B1G conference/tourney championships, won the most games in the conference over the past 5 years, and were putting guys in the NBA" (aka Brad's ceiling) while we're talking about who should replace our failed replacement for Brad.
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Our NIL would have us in a much better spot than when we hired Groce. Not saying I’m in favor of moving on from Underwood, but this day and age, we are a very attractive spot.
 
#498      
Illini IndyCar Fan
1970 John said:
Here's one WV observer's observation about DeVries going to Iowa, and per him, the only reason for DeVries to make the move is Iowa is DeVries' country road.
wvsportsnow.com

Asti: Darian DeVries Would Only Leave WVU for Iowa for One Reason

The Iowa basketball job is now open. The Hawkeyes are set to fire Fran McCaffery, dismissing their longtime head coach after a second round exit in the Big Ten Tournament. With no NCAA Tournament hopes in sight, Iowa is looking for a new direction. That’s where WVU head coach Darian DeVries...
wvsportsnow.com wvsportsnow.com
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Did you say Country Roads?
 
#500      
Zorak
Illini IndyCar Fan said:
This is one of those situations where we get monkey pawed after Brad departs after this season, we get passed over by our targets and have to hire our 7th choice (like the Groce hire and the upcoming IU hire), and then in the March 2029 coaching carousel thread people post things like "man, I would give anything to return to the days where we were made the Elite 8, won 4 B1G conference/tourney championships, won the most games in the conference over the past 5 years, and were putting guys in the NBA" (aka Brad's ceiling) while we're talking about who should replace our failed replacement for Brad.
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I trust Josh Whitman more than you do.
 
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