Coaching Carousel (Basketball)

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#527      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
DirtyBurgIllini said:
Is Villanova that much better? It’s not Jay Wright’s Villanova. They’re not swimming in resources. Chris has made a ton of money, his family is around the area & in the state. If he’s going to leave, he’ll want somewhere where it’s a legit chance to win a championship
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Yes, but NW is arguably the worst job in the big ten.
 
#531      
PepeSilvia
mhuml32 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1900995499471368227

Surprised by this move since they spent a ton to bring in Mullen and the school hasn't had the best couple years, financially.
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For a guy that never looked like a D1 basketball player, he could play. One of the better coaches kids in somewhat recent memory.

Wouldn't hate him joining the staff as an asst though I'd imagine he would land at Iowa State if he doesn't get a different head coaching job.
 
#532      
mhuml32
This is a firing you cannot make unless you have someone already lined up. Lon was by far their best coach in the post-Tarkanian world, but you can also make an good argument that Kevin Kruger was their second best.
 
#535      
OrangeAndBlueBlooded
OrangeBlue98 said:
I just don't understand that line of thinking if that's true. I cannot think of a single reason why Northwestern would be more attractive than Villanova except for maybe the TV money. I get he's a Chicago guy (which maybe is the overriding reason), but i just don't see it. Villanova to me is clearly a more attractive job.
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And it appears he feels the B1G is not treating NW fairly.
 
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#537      
OrangeBlue98
PepeSilvia said:
For a guy that never looked like a D1 basketball player, he could play. One of the better coaches kids in somewhat recent memory.
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He does look like a D1 basketball player - the guy is a spitting image of his father. :ROFLMAO:

I used to see him at games when Lon was at Illinois and marveled at just how strong the Kruger genes were with Kevin even as a young teen.
 
#538      
RJK01
I don't think that Underwood needs to be fired, but I could see him making one last move. The issue is Hamer's friendship with Tyler. Would Brad let that override common sense in needing to replace him? I don't know what the Director of Basketball Operations does but move him into that role and all parties accept that instead of Hamer being fired. Does Illinois still have a DOBO?
 
#539      
PepeSilvia
OrangeBlue98 said:
He does look like a D1 basketball player - the guy is a spitting image of his father. :ROFLMAO:

I used to see him at games when Lon was at Illinois and marveled at just how strong the Kruger genes were with Kevin even as a young teen.
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You're right in that he's the spitting image of his father. Just doesnt necessarily look like what you'd expect from a very good D-1 player that played professionally especially not being very tall.

Looks more like a random frat guy.
 
#540      
OrangeBlue98
PepeSilvia said:
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You're right in that he's the spitting image of his father. Just doesnt necessarily look like what you'd expect from a very good D-1 player that played professionally especially not being very tall.

Looks more like a random frat guy.
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All good-your post was just too good of an opportunity to pass up. Hope Kevin lands on his feet soon.
 
#542      
Illini4Chief
mhuml32 said:
This is a firing you cannot make unless you have someone already lined up. Lon was by far their best coach in the post-Tarkanian world, but you can also make an good argument that Kevin Kruger was their second best.
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Kruger went 76-55 overall in his four seasons in Vegas, but the Rebels never reached the NCAA tournament and finished in the top four of the Mountain West standings just once. Not too impressive......
 
#548      
ktal
WyattEarp said:
You mean where it says “Illinoisloyalty.com” rather than “bradunderwoodloyalty”?
I’m pretty sure you can have respect and gratitude without blind loyalty. The situation is a little more nuanced than that.

Whitman gave Brad everything he could have dreamed of…at a time when OSU lowballed him… He was looking when he found this job…and apparently he’s still looking. Okay…fine…whatever…capitali$m…(we’ve all heard the lecture before.) But that’s also why it’s prudent planning to have a plan B & C…$$
Also, I’ve got Brad’s resume memorized at this point; and I’m well aware of all that he has done for us.

But don’t tell me I have to give every ounce of my loyalty to a guy (who may or may not wanna be here himself)
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The bolded is certainly news to me...is that what's being discussed? I expect every AD to have a short list current for all their teams, and hope to never need them. But who loyalty is a two way street, so by no means blind.

The only way Illinois can attract coaches capable of winning championships is if the know they'll be granted the resources and runway to be successful. Brad is having a lot of success, and keeping it on the runway. It might yet take off.

Lastly, there are three or four groups of coaches we're talking about: coaches who have never won it but can with the right support, coaches who have won one NC at one stop, coaches with multiple NC. Having this conversation implies the decision has been made that Brad wasn't in the first group when hired, but now Josh knows who is?! Or is the idea that Illinois will steal a coach that has already won NC elsewhere, and then expect them to remain loyal to us if when TX, NC, KY etc. come calling?

My thinking is very simple: you don't get on the carousel voluntarily! Circumstances are not forcing us onto the carousel, and great coaches know it. Hiring a great coach isn't the same as keeping a great coach. To keep them, Josh needs to have won their loyalty, not just their routing number.
 
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