2017 Coaching Carousel

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#1,851      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
Unless we back up a very large truck of money, there's no way we're getting Bennett. Same goes for Marshall. Their current situation is simply better than what we're offering.

I think Martin would consider the job given his area ties and recruiting connection to Chicago. Cronin and Mack are two I'd also like to see us go after, Cronin probably more likely than Mack to be interested.

I wouldn't think we would have trouble attracting the guys currently at mid-majors, but something tells me Whitman won't go down that road. Given how poorly the Thomas mid-major hires turned out, I'd expect Whitman to think outside the box (maybe an NBA guy) before turning to a hot mid-major guy. That being said, I hope he makes a run at some of the more established coaches above before getting creative.
 
#1,853      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
TownieMatt said:
Given how poorly the Thomas mid-major hires turned out, I'd expect Whitman to think outside the box (maybe an NBA guy) before turning to a hot mid-major guy.
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Musselman is both!

In terms of NBA coaches, just a couple of names to toss out there as potential fits: Lawrence Frank, Ty Corbin and Keith Smart?

Mo Cheeks is kinda interesting too, but he's 60 now.
 
#1,854      

LouAlcinder

L
LouAlcinder
TownieMatt said:
Unless we back up a very large truck of money, there's no way we're getting Bennett. Same goes for Marshall. Their current situation is simply better than what we're offering.

I think Martin would consider the job given his area ties and recruiting connection to Chicago. Cronin and Mack are two I'd also like to see us go after, Cronin probably more likely than Mack to be interested.

I wouldn't think we would have trouble attracting the guys currently at mid-majors, but something tells me Whitman won't go down that road. Given how poorly the Thomas mid-major hires turned out, I'd expect Whitman to think outside the box (maybe an NBA guy) before turning to a hot mid-major guy. That being said, I hope he makes a run at some of the more established coaches above before getting creative.
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Martin has a $1 mil buyout and makes almost $2 mil/yr, Bennett has a $3 mil buyout and makes over $2 mil/yr, so these guys are unlikely IMO. Cronin/Mack/Marshall/Miller are more realistic.
 
#1,856      

illinipioneer

illinipioneer
Richmond, VA
illinipioneer
Second and Chalmers said:
Another name to have in the ether: Steve Forbes at East Tennessee State.

ETSU Before Forbes (KenPom):

2013: 319
2014: 243
2015: 217

ETSU Under Forbes:

2016: 153
2017: 61

Plus he was a very successful JUCO head coach and has a background as an assistant and multiple other winning power conference programs.

Sounds great, right? What's the catch?

One of said successful assistant tenures was five years with Bruce Pearl at Tennessee.

I know, I'm out too. Just passing along the information.
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I've got family that are alums of ETSU and live nearby their campus. Forbes is very well liked by the fan base, one thing to note on his success at ETSU in particular is the Administration in the past several years has turned it's focus back to athletics. Whether that can affect the short term is up to someone of a high pay grade than me haha.
 
#1,858      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
Second and Chalmers said:
Musselman is both!

In terms of NBA coaches, just a couple of names to toss out there as potential fits: Lawrence Frank, Ty Corbin and Keith Smart?

Mo Cheeks is kinda interesting too, but he's 60 now.
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I'm with you on Musselman. My only hold up will be if I can get over his wife asking Mike Singletary about making a phone call to Bill Walsh in the grave.
 
#1,860      

JoseyWales83

JoseyWales83
JoseyWales83
LouAlcinder said:
Martin has a $1 mil buyout and makes almost $2 mil/yr, Bennett has a $3 mil buyout and makes over $2 mil/yr, so these guys are unlikely IMO. Cronin/Mack/Marshall/Miller are more realistic.
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Did you just see what we paid Lovie???? Our basketball coach is going to get 3.5-4 mill per year so Tony Bennett come on down. All this garbage we have seen the last 4 years have set the bar really low.

Also reasons why we didn't get a better coach during the last search...

#1 No one wanted to work for Mike Thomas
#2 Interim Chancellor and President
#3 Assembly Hall renovations weren't even in process at the time(someone double check that)

We have the opposite reasons now, plus we have Lovie which adds to our credibility that real coaches want to come to Illinois and work under Whitman.
 
#1,861      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
mattcoldagelli said:
Barring some unforeseen outside circumstance, I'm like 98% sure Martin would take the job if offered.
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To put some meat on that bone, Martin's contract actually calls for a pay cut next season, from $1.9mm to around $1.6mm. We could give him $2.75mm without breaking a sweat. Cal is a mess financially, their ability and willingness to match is probably limited.

Cal is also a mess more generally, the Sonny Dykes firing was really bizarre and that's a school where sports are always on the backburner and have rarely been successful (yes, more so than here, quiet down). Martin very smartly jettisoned a toxic situation at Tennessee that wasn't his fault, and he might very well have found himself in a similar position again.

From a roster perspective, Martin loses Jabari Bird to graduation and probably Ivan Rabb to the NBA. Marcus Lee who transferred from Kentucky becomes eligible and he has an okay recruiting class, but it's probably a step back for them next year.

On a personal level, Martin's a guy for whom home means a lot, and home is East St Louis, IL. He would have the opportunity to coach a star recruit from his old high school and work for a guy who was a student at West Lafayette High School while he starred at Purdue. This is the stable situation with all the boats pointing in the same direction that he hasn't had.

His staff includes Tracy Webster who obviously knows the Illini program and knows the recruiting territory, as does Martin himself.

Even considering all of that, I think 98% is overstating it, but it does make a ton of sense from his perspective.

The question is whether it makes sense from ours. I will be watching every Cal game I can get my hands on in order to try and make an informed judgment on that.

But the three headed monster of (1) Martin being a legend at Tilmon's HS while we agonize about whether he'll stick to his commitment, (2) Whitman having grown up watching Martin as a star at Purdue, and (3) Martin being alienated at Tennessee for the crime of not being Bruce Pearl, it all just seems meant to be on some level.
 
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#1,862      

illynifan34

I
That's a winner!!
OH
illynifan34
Second and Chalmers said:
To put some meat on that bone, Martin's contract actually calls for a pay cut next season, from $1.9mm to around $1.6mm. We could give him $2.75mm without breaking a sweat. Cal is a mess financially, their ability and willingness to match is probably limited.

Cal is also a mess more generally, the Sonny Dykes firing was really bizarre and that's a school where sports are always on the backburner and have rarely been successful (yes, more so than here, quiet down). Martin very smartly jettisoned a toxic situation at Tennessee that wasn't his fault, and he might very well have found himself in a similar position again.

From a roster perspective, Martin loses Jabari Bird to graduation and probably Ivan Rabb to the NBA. Marcus Lee who transferred from Kentucky becomes eligible and he has an okay recruiting class, but it's probably a step back for them next year.

On a personal level, Martin's a guy for whom home means a lot, and home is East St Louis, IL. He would have the opportunity to coach a star recruit from his old high school and work for a guy who was a student at West Lafayette High School while he starred at Purdue. This is the stable situation with all the boats pointing in the same direction that he hasn't had.

His staff includes Tracy Webster who obviously knows the Illini program and knows the recruiting territory, as does Martin himself.

Even considering all of that, I think 98% is overstating it, but it does make a ton of sense from his perspective.

The question is whether it makes sense from ours. I will be watching every Cal game I can get my hands on in order to try and make an informed judgment on that.
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Is there a concern of any other schools that fit this criteria that might be looking for a coach? Mizzou?
 
#1,863      

Smacko

S
Lexington, KY
Smacko
Second and Chalmers said:
To put some meat on that bone, Martin's contract actually calls for a pay cut next season, from $1.9mm to around $1.6mm. We could give him $2.75mm without breaking a sweat. Cal is a mess financially, their ability and willingness to match is probably limited.

Cal is also a mess more generally, the Sonny Dykes firing was really bizarre and that's a school where sports are always on the backburner and have rarely been successful (yes, more so than here, quiet down). Martin very smartly jettisoned a toxic situation at Tennessee that wasn't his fault, and he might very well have found himself in a similar position again.

From a roster perspective, Martin loses Jabari Bird to graduation and probably Ivan Rabb to the NBA. Marcus Lee who transferred from Kentucky becomes eligible and he has an okay recruiting class, but it's probably a step back for them next year.

On a personal level, Martin's a guy for whom home means a lot, and home is East St Louis, IL. He would have the opportunity to coach a star recruit from his old high school and work for a guy who was a student at West Lafayette High School while he starred at Purdue. This is the stable situation with all the boats pointing in the same direction that he hasn't had.

His staff includes Tracy Webster who obviously knows the Illini program and knows the recruiting territory, as does Martin himself.

Even considering all of that, I think 98% is overstating it, but it does make a ton of sense from his perspective.

The question is whether it makes sense from ours. I will be watching every Cal game I can get my hands on in order to try and make an informed judgment on that.
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Yeah, I think from Martin's perspective it would be a no-brainer so long as we don't try to lowball him. I think he would also give us a good chance to hold onto our recruiting class. He should be able to connect with guys like Tilmon, Pickett (maybe even Smith) from that Metro East area. I think he would be a solid hire if we can't get a guy like Bennett to bite. He has major head coaching experience and should be able to recruit.
 
#1,864      

StateFarmCenter

StateFarmCenter
StateFarmCenter
illynifan34 said:
Is there a concern of any other schools that fit this criteria that might be looking for a coach? Mizzou?
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Should definitely be worried about Mizzou for Cuonzo. Home is the most important thing to him. On the brightside I don't think they offer much stability at all, which as S&C has pointed out, Cuonzo has lacked at 2 stops now and has to be sick of that.
 
#1,865      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
illynifan34 said:
Is there a concern of any other schools that fit this criteria that might be looking for a coach? Mizzou?
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Mizzou would certainly be interested. We're a better job.

Plus, Martin is the sort of person for whom the only school in the country with a black HC/OC/DC combo in football and the opportunity to be the first black head basketball coach is going to have an advantage over Poop Swastika U.
 
#1,866      

illynifan34

I
That's a winner!!
OH
illynifan34
Second and Chalmers said:
Mizzou would certainly be interested. We're a better job.

Plus, Martin is the sort of person for whom the only school in the country with a black HC/OC/DC combo in football and the opportunity to be the first black head basketball coach is going to have an advantage over Poop Swastika U.
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You've given me hope.
 
#1,867      

StateFarmCenter

StateFarmCenter
StateFarmCenter
Mizzou seems pretty set in Ben Howland. Interesting given the two similarities of our jobs, he hasn't been brought up much here at all but seems to be their board favorite. I'd stay away too.
 
#1,868      

WesterveltVictoryCigar

WesterveltVictoryCigar
WesterveltVictoryCigar
There's certainly a good case to be made why we could get Martin. I just wish I was more enthused about him as a coach. His resume isn't bad, just not quite knocking my socks off.
 
#1,870      

EJ33

E
San Francisco
EJ33
mattcoldagelli said:
Barring some unforeseen outside circumstance, I'm like 98% sure Martin would take the job if offered.
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I'm less confident than you, but I do think he'd take the job.

- His recruiting has fallen off since he landed 2 five stars in his first class

- $2M in Berkeley goes about half as far as $2M in Champaign

- This is not going to make recruiting any easier:

For 2017-18, at least 80 percent of all incoming athletes at Cal will have the minimum 3.0 GPA in high school that is required of all other students applying to the university. No more than 20 percent will be admitted through a separate process involving scrutiny by the UC Director of Admissions and the Student-Athlete Admissions Committee (SAAC).
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There was some buzz about Chip Kelly going to Cal, but some of the smarter media quickly pointed out that Chip would never take the job given the new Cal academic standards.

I think Cuonzo could obviously recruit St. Louis well given that he was a star player for ESL (and probably headed to Illinois without the NCAA issues we had at that time). He's already done better than Groce in Chicago.

But, be careful what you ask for. He's had some pretty good talent and not taken it too far. If you yearn for a return to previous heights then I'm certain he's not the guy. If you just want guaranteed respectability then he's a very good choice. We're not going to get laughed out of the gym with him and by all accounts he's a very solid guy. I can also guarantee that you'll have occasional flashbacks to Bruce Weber as you watch his teams play.
 
#1,872      

ChiefIllini

C
ChiefIllini
WesterveltVictoryCigar said:
There's certainly a good case to be made why we could get Martin. I just wish I was more enthused about him as a coach. His resume isn't bad, just not quite knocking my socks off.
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The fit couldn't be much better in terms of ties between coach and school. Seems like a match that makes the most logical sense. ESL legend, B1G history, possibility to be the first minority HC at UI, and the ability to recruit up in Chicago too. Chances we keep Tilmon after a switch increase from slim to as high as its gonna get. The thing that sucks about letting go a players coach like Groce is that players (and fans, at this point a very small minority) get emotionally attached.

But I completely agree there's something about his resume that makes me hesitate to put him even top 3 in candidates. I have zero knowledge of his coaching style, but I do know the situations he's been in were extremely challenging ones. The Vols were essentially on the verge of falling off a cliff and he kept them relevant--even through all the hate the fans threw his way. Cal's athletics are a mess financially and there have been reports about scaling their athletics back. He seems capable of coming into a mess and rising above the stench of whats around him. There's no conclusive evidence that his teams can grow above first or second round exits (not his fault necessarily, he hasn't been around any long enough).

Every candidate has question marks and Martin's seem the least worrisome, at least to me. Obviously Guys like Tony Bennett or Sean Miller are guys I'd take in a heart beat, but I dont see us getting a guy like that. Given that Whitman hired Lovie, I'll be 100% behind whoever he hires. He's gonna open the checkbook and get who he wants.
 
#1,873      

UofI08

U
Chicago
UofI08
StateFarmCenter said:
Mizzou seems pretty set in Ben Howland. Interesting given the two similarities of our jobs, he hasn't been brought up much here at all but seems to be their board favorite. I'd stay away too.
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I asked about him yesterday. He was run out of UCLA but has been very successful everywhere he's coached. He made Pitt into a perennial Big East power and went to 3 final 4s with UCLA. He recruits well. I think he'd be solid and would at least get Illinois back to regular tournament appearances. I don't know what his ceiling is now, at age 59, but his floor is probably higher than everyone on our "realistic" list.
 
#1,875      

mattcoldagelli

mattcoldagelli
The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
mattcoldagelli
EJ33 said:
If you yearn for a return to previous heights then I'm certain he's not the guy. If you just want guaranteed respectability then he's a very good choice. We're not going to get laughed out of the gym with him and by all accounts he's a very solid guy. I can also guarantee that you'll have occasional flashbacks to Bruce Weber as you watch his teams play.
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I think there's unanimous agreement on what's wanted, but I'm not certain it's an either/or proposition with respect to "making it 2001-05 again" vs. "simply not getting run out of every opponent's gym." We need the latter before you can start thinking about the former, IMO - it all comes down to how much you're willing to gamble on someone who can get you both.

S&C has raised the point repeatedly - if we think we've found the Next Big Thing from the lower ranks, and that guy has a bumpy start...things get very bad, very fast.
 
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