If you believe that this thread are knee jerk reactions in response to strictly this season, then you are sorely mistaken.
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2017 Coaching Carousel
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If you believe that this thread are knee jerk reactions in response to strictly this season, then you are sorely mistaken.
Pitchforks? 99.9% are begging Groce to succeed and apologizing for almost every spectacular failure.
You want to see some vitriol, go revisit the Weber threads. That guy didn't get near this much slack (myself included).
Groce is personable and easy to like, but it's past time to produce.
Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
Buzz Williams isn't coming here. He left Marquette for Va Tech and his reasons for going there feel like all the reasons he wouldn't come here:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbss...did-buzz-williams-leave-marquette-for-vt/amp/
A 35 - 33 win over MD would be looking pretty good right now.
Maybe not, but everyone has their price, and I'm not just talking about money. If a guy like Marshall wants the chance to win championships, he's gonna have to move to a bigger stage. Illinois can be that. We're the flagship U and really the only legitimate option in a basketball-rich state. Whitman has a lot to sell, especially if the money is there.
Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
You are basing your comment on the idea that Buzz can't reach as high a level starting at a low base in a competitive conference (i.e. VA Tech) than at a high base in a competitive conference with several red flags (i.e. Illinois). Based on what I have read about Buzz, I don't believe he thinks that way. Our last coaching search proved that top, top Mid Major coaches don't see us that way, hard to believe Buzz Williams sees us that way.
homesickalien
- Springfield
I don't think that says too much about him not coming here. If I remember right it also was the AD situation that was a main reason he left as well. I think he'd be a great fit. Proven track record, has no allegiance to Virgina Tech, knows the Midwest, etc. I'm sure he'd be willing to listen.
A 35-33 loss to Maryland would look good right now.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Ouch.
You know that feeling as the holidays and December progress? At first, you're a little heavier than you wish, but you can fix it. All you have to do is watch things and your metabolism will put you back where you belong. Then, another 2 parties and events and you're actually past "a little heavier" and into OMG land, where you really have to do something significant. But it doesn't happen, and a couple of pounds later, you can't get to your weight goals without a major intervention. That's where we are.
I don't know how you could dislike Groce. I think most are pulling for him. It's just tough to watch the team spinning it's wheels , even as the talent level on the court seems to have improved. I hope the wins start coming , but I'm not optimistic. The culture just seems soft to me. The results have been the same regardless of seeming upgrades in talent. It has been Groundhog Day.
The sexual assault cover up alone would, thankfully, prevent Williams from ever being considered as Groce's replacement.
Your likelihood of leaving radar is a bit wonky
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
As far as likely (ish) candidates, the main 2 I'd focus on are:
Hoiberg (really surprised to not see his name more in this thread)
Buzz
Otherwise sleepers: Rob Murphy, Matt McCall, Will Wade..
I'd really focus on Hoiberg though.
Hoiberg (really surprised to not see his name more in this thread)
Buzz
Otherwise sleepers: Rob Murphy, Matt McCall, Will Wade..
I'd really focus on Hoiberg though.
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So, would Illinois be a lateral move, step up, or step down for him?
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The problem with Hoiberg is the timing of when the NBA season ends. Illinois would have a coach before then. That is, unless he's fired during the season.
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No to Keatts- he has Pitino stink on him. No way. No thanks.
Big No to Forbes- he is a Bruce Pearl guy. He refused to tell the truth to the NCAA in an attempt to protect Pearl while at Tennessee. NO way.
Bennett won't leave UVA and that situation for IL. I doubt he leaves for any job other than a blue blood or maybe Wisconsin one day.
Scott Drew has some very questionable ethics too. That's Baylor stink I guess. Condoning threatening to have a recruit deported if he doesn't come to your school is no bueno.
Cuonzo would be ok but I believe still unproven with recruiting. He's had 1 spectacular class and a bunch of meh otherwise.
Chris Collins has a lot of baggage with fans from his time as an IL prep player. I don't think he's making that move either- he has some good support and momentum at NU and can be celebrated for making the NCAA or being at least highly competitive. Even with some losses, he is in a good spot, near his hometown, in a good position to be considered for the Duke job when K goes. Coming to IL is really an unnecessary risk for him.
Archie Miller seems like he's content at Dayton until a major major player comes calling. He might be in line for the NC State job if Gottfriend moves on at some point. Maybe another East Coast job might attract him but I'm not sure what his IL motivation would be.
Buzz Williams just seems like an odd guy. Can't put my finger on it. I don't doubt his coaching or recruiting ability. His move to VATech seemed odd to me. Like he just didn't want the situation at Marquette anymore and felt like he had to find somewhere, anywhere else to go and VT was just a place to be. I don't see Blacksburg as a real desirable destination.
McCall has a nice career started but maybe not the experience or Midwest connections that would be helpful here.
Of all those possibilities, it seems like Martin would be the most likely. Williams not out of the question.
I doubt Hoiberg ever takes another college job. He didn't like the recruiting grind. And because of that, I'm not sure we should be interested.
King Rice at Monmouth and Eric Musselman at Nevada need to be mentioned on these mid-major lists.
Musselman in particular might be perfect.
Musselman in particular might be perfect.
Musselman is a rolling stone. Never stays anywhere long. Not sure why but I wonder about him.
King Rice has some baggage but I could see him as a possibility. Has some ties to the central Illinois area. I know his heart is at UNC and there isn't a long line of replacements available for Roy when he retires. King might be headed there.
I don't blame Hoiberg. But that grind would get easier for him after an NBA stint. He'll have more name recognition, clout, credibility, etc. (unless his NBA time turns into a complete disaster) He won't have to hustle as much as he did at Iowa State in the event that he returns to college.
homesickalien
- Springfield
Who knows about some of the guys. The likelihood of them leaving are obviously slim, but Mack and Marshall have been discussed here at length. Tried to throw in a couple more names that haven't been discussed as much.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Have you been watching the Bulls lately?
Hoiberg will be Forman's and Pax's fall guy, no doubt about it. If the timing was right (and he actually wants the job), he'd be a VG choice. Thing is, I don't think the timing will be right (and we cannot afford to leave this class dangling).
homesickalien
- Springfield
Musselman is intriguing, but not sure how serious he is about coaching college ball. He'd be someone to keep an eye on though. Dan Majerle would be another one.
Yeah, a long search is not going to be good for us. You want something similar to what happened with Lovie where you can quickly announce a hire and have them set to work solidifying anyone on the fence before too many people get in their ear.
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