Coaching Carousel (Football)

[ORANGEANDBLUE2011]

All solid hires! If a teacher changed curriculum wouldn’t they want skilled instructors for the new plan? Doesn’t make sense to get those “home run” hires if they don’t have a clue how to run the system.

Also, we love to look at the Hoosiers as the shiny thing on the hill and as far as I can tell, their defensive staff isn’t loaded with Big10 experience or much power 5 experience and they were alright this year. ILL

 

[the juiceman cometh]

Yes.

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The tell was when he praised the "data." I asked bigcity tons of times to tell me what data he was referencing and he never could. There was never actually any data. No actual person could have come on here and read those exchanges and actually thought "oh wow look at that data."

 

[bigcityillini]

The tell was when he praised the "data." I asked bigcity tons of times to tell me what data he was referencing and he never could. There was never actually any data. No actual person could have come on here and read those exchanges and actually thought "oh wow look at that data."

You literally can’t even get your data correct man. What are you talking about

 

[RedGrangeHelmet]

Walters was a good DC at Illinois. Missouri, not so much. Drink wanted to bring in a co DC. Walters pushed back. Drink was considering firing him, but Bielima hired him, so Drink didn't have to pull the trigger.

I never liked the Ryan Walters Defense. I don’t think it’s that good of a defense. Defense looked good in 2022 but any defense would be good with Devon Witherspoon,
Sydney Brown, Quan Martin, JerZhan Newton, Keith Randolph. Ryan Walters gets way too much credit for that 2022 Illinois defense. That defense was going to be good no matter who was the defensive coordinator . Ryan Walters hasn’t done anything as a defensive coordinator or head coach since the 2022 Illinois team . He’s still riding off of that . He was absolutely terrible at Purdue. His defense couldn’t do anything. At Washington last season his defense was mediocre at best.

 

[illinoistradition]

I have only ignored one member in the 15+ years I have been on this site. It can assumed who it is based on the recent discussions. It’s pretty glorious to not see that content anymore!

 

[therealmiket86]

lol instead of arguing with bigcity why not talk about the staff and potential additions

 

[Ryllini]

I know we don't have a full staff, but do we have an idea on recruiting geographies? I imagine Hawthorne is still our ride into STL, Elliott will be our rural Illinois and general Midwest, Parker in Michigan and some in Ohio. Where will Bradford be sent? Is he going to tie us out west? Who is our lead in the Chicagoland area. I still feel we missing too much up here. Is Arch our Texas guy, I can't remember? I just hope our RB ace will he dynamic down south and into Florida. Stepp down south and Art in NJ/east? I know they will sit in anyone's living room, but I like to know in general. I also feel like Art would be unbelievable up in Chicagoland.

 

[IllinoisOKC]

Tyrone Wheatley has hc experience, as he just recently stepped down as hc. fits the theme for the coaching staff. In all seriousness, does he have ace recruiting ability? Or was most of his success at recruiting mainly because of the school he was at?

 

[TampaToo]

Hey Dan, can you create a “Beat The Horse Dead” thread and just move some of these “debates” over to that thread when warranted?

 

[Grizfan]

Maybe we could borrow your mascot.

"Monte" is amazing! He's won college mascot of the year, I think twice. If you can find any footage of his entries into the stadium, pre-game, you'll get a chuckle out of him. It's different almost every game. We all hope he's not looking to transfer!!! LOL!

 

[bigcityillini]

lol instead of arguing with bigcity why not talk about the staff and potential additions

Because I am living rent free in these guys head. They can’t refute anything because it’s facts man. Acting like middle school girls lol

 

[therealmiket86]

I know we don't have a full staff, but do we have an idea on recruiting geographies? I imagine Hawthorne is still our ride into STL, Elliott will be our rural Illinois and general Midwest, Parker in Michigan and some in Ohio. Where will Bradford be sent? Is he going to tie us out west? Who is our lead in the Chicagoland area. I still feel we missing too much up here. Is Arch our Texas guy, I can't remember? I just hope our RB ace will he dynamic down south and into Florida. Stepp down south and Art in NJ/east? I know they will sit in anyone's living room, but I like to know in general. I also feel like Art would be unbelievable up in Chicagoland.

Nate McNeal does a very good job in Chicago. I know Bart recruits the northwest suburbs. Archie and Stepp both have Texas recruiting ties. I would imagine Elliott will be in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. Parker has Michigan and since he coached at Toledo I’m sure he can cover some ground in Ohio.

Obviously recruiting is different now that money is involved and staffers can go out on the road. But it would be nice to have a rb coach who’s recruited in Florida. A guy like Fitch for dline would be a home run. Look at his recruiting background he’s also a good coach.

Not sure what Bradford or Cooper will bring to the table. Bradford had success at USC recruiting

 

[therealmiket86]

Tyrone Wheatley has hc experience, as he just recently stepped down as hc. fits the theme for the coaching staff. In all seriousness, does he have ace recruiting ability? Or was most of his success at recruiting mainly because of the school he was at?

That’s what is hard to judge. Anyone can recruit at a blue blood. Regardless I think he would do very good in Michigan.

 

[TooHot4Tots]

Is Cadillac Williams coaching anywhere? Good RB coach.

 

[Ryllini]

Nate McNeal does a very good job in Chicago. I know Bart recruits the northwest suburbs. Archie and Stepp both have Texas recruiting ties. I would imagine Elliott will be in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. Parker has Michigan and since he coached at Toledo I’m sure he can cover some ground in Ohio.

Obviously recruiting is different now that money is involved and staffers can go out on the road. But it would be nice to have a rb coach who’s recruited in Florida. A guy like Fitch for dline would be a home run. Look at his recruiting background he’s also a good coach.

Not sure what Bradford or Cooper will bring to the table. Bradford had success at USC recruiting

This conversation is probably gravitating towards the recruiting thread, but another kid I feel we didn't even kick the tires on was Angelo De Sensi. Granted NU was his beat offer, but this is a 6-5 275 tackle that we probably could develop for 3 years that is from the west suburbs.
My biggest complaint thus far about our staff during this tenure is that they seem to love the Illinois downstate/rural success story over kids from some big time programs that are football players. Your guy from Fenwick is a prime example. I love those downstate kids, but they should be a layup everytime for us. We need Iowa, Wisky, now MSU, and ND to have a battle over our state kids where there is the biggest concentration of players. I'm probably misguided a bit, but that's my feeling so far.

 

[therealmiket86]

This conversation is probably gravitating towards the recruiting thread, but another kid I feel we didn't even kick the tires on was Angelo De Sensi. Granted NU was his beat offer, but this is a 6-5 275 tackle that we probably could develop for 3 years that is from the west suburbs.
My biggest complaint thus far about our staff during this tenure is that they seem to love the Illinois downstate/rural success story over kids from some big time programs that are football players. Your guy from Fenwick is a prime example. I love those downstate kids, but they should be a layup everytime for us. We need Iowa, Wisky, now MSU, and ND to have a battle over our state kids where there is the biggest concentration of players. I'm probably misguided a bit, but that's my feeling so far.

I feel like if you’re taking a flyer on a kid it’s better to do it with someone instate. We’ve added plenty of linemen of the years that were reaches. We could’ve added similar players instate. The state is loaded with power 4 players now we don’t have to reach out of state

2026 Top Football Recruits in Illinois

The 247Sports rankings are determined by our recruiting analysts after countless hours of personal observations, film evaluation and input from our network of scouts.

247sports.com

 

[Ryllini]

I feel like if you’re taking a flyer on a kid it’s better to do it with someone instate. We’ve added plenty of linemen of the years that were reaches. We could’ve added similar players instate. The state is loaded with power 4 players now we don’t have to reach out of state

2026 Top Football Recruits in Illinois

The 247Sports rankings are determined by our recruiting analysts after countless hours of personal observations, film evaluation and input from our network of scouts.

247sports.com

I agree and that is exactly my point. De Sensi is a 2 time Illinois state champion and Thies is an Illinois state champion.
Especially right now in these catholic schools and the level of comp they are playing, I have no problem with flyers there.

 

[RedGrangeHelmet]

I know we don't have a full staff, but do we have an idea on recruiting geographies? I imagine Hawthorne is still our ride into STL, Elliott will be our rural Illinois and general Midwest, Parker in Michigan and some in Ohio. Where will Bradford be sent? Is he going to tie us out west? Who is our lead in the Chicagoland area. I still feel we missing too much up here. Is Arch our Texas guy, I can't remember? I just hope our RB ace will he dynamic down south and into Florida. Stepp down south and Art in NJ/east? I know they will sit in anyone's living room, but I like to know in general. I also feel like Art would be unbelievable up in Chicagoland.

Terry Hawthorne is my guy. The East Boogie East Saint Louis, Illinois stand up. East Saint Louis Senior High School stand up. Although Illinois has had success in East Saint Louis,Illinois with getting players like Terry Hawthorne, Dana Howard, Melvin Priestly, Jojo Hayden , Brandon Henderson etc . Over the years in my opinion Illinois has not made East Saint Louis as much of a priority as they should have in football and basketball . SEC teams especially Missouri have been feeding off East Saint Louis talent for decades. Case in point Luther Burden current Chicago Bears Wide receiver. Terry will be good at getting talent in Southern Illinois.

 

[RedGrangeHelmet]

Tyrone Wheatley has hc experience, as he just recently stepped down as hc. fits the theme for the coaching staff. In all seriousness, does he have ace recruiting ability? Or was most of his success at recruiting mainly because of the school he was at?

My only problem with Tyrone Wheatley is if he comes to Illinois and has success will he bolt for Michigan if they come calling. I love Bret he’s a good man and an excellent football coach that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Bret elevates coaches stature and as soon as they get some recognition and praise they bolt for what looks like a better opportunity or their “Dream Job” see Ryan Ungrateful Walters

 

[therealmiket86]

My only problem with Tyrone Wheatley is if he comes to Illinois and has success will he bolt for Michigan if they come calling. I love Bret he’s a good man and an excellent football coach that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Bret elevates coaches stature and as soon as they get some recognition and praise they bolt for what looks like a better opportunity or their “Dream Job” see Ryan Ungrateful Walters

Wheatley has already coached at Michigan. If he has success and moves on it means the program is doing good

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

My only problem with Tyrone Wheatley is if he comes to Illinois and has success will he bolt for Michigan if they come calling. I love Bret he’s a good man and an excellent football coach that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Bret elevates coaches stature and as soon as they get some recognition and praise they bolt for what looks like a better opportunity or their “Dream Job” see Ryan Ungrateful Walters

Bret Bielema will never hire an assistant coach who turns down an opportunity to become the head coach at a Big Ten or SEC school.

 

[Noblesville Illini]

My only problem with Tyrone Wheatley is if he comes to Illinois and has success will he bolt for Michigan if they come calling. I love Bret he’s a good man and an excellent football coach that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Bret elevates coaches stature and as soon as they get some recognition and praise they bolt for what looks like a better opportunity or their “Dream Job” see Ryan Ungrateful Walters

See Ryan “better off without that guy” Walters! He was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I may be idealistic, but we only need high character guys coaching for us. IMHO

 

[AirTran]

I never liked the Ryan Walters Defense. I don’t think it’s that good of a defense. Defense looked good in 2022 but any defense would be good with Devon Witherspoon,
Sydney Brown, Quan Martin, JerZhan Newton, Keith Randolph. Ryan Walters gets way too much credit for that 2022 Illinois defense. That defense was going to be good no matter who was the defensive coordinator . Ryan Walters hasn’t done anything as a defensive coordinator or head coach since the 2022 Illinois team . He’s still riding off of that . He was absolutely terrible at Purdue. His defense couldn’t do anything. At Washington last season his defense was mediocre at best.

Now, think about whom recruited those players... boggles the mind.

 

[BlueFlag]

For all the those on this board who have been clamoring for a new defensive scheme, it's clear to me that you'll get it.

I believe the Illini defense will be just fine this year. And yes, this includes the D-Line.

I am looking forward to many entertaining Illini football games this year.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

You literally can’t even get your data correct man. What are you talking about

Dude… you’ve been busted.