2017 Coaching Carousel

DragonIlliniFan · Feb 1, 2017

Gregg Marshall or Archie Miller.

Both have what it takes to garner respect and get the most out of their players.

Aka, these guys got some scrote to 'em.

OrangeAndBlues · Feb 1, 2017

FollowTisdale said:
Whitman is too good of an executive to show is hand. He's too good to not realize Groce is done, not have a list already going, not have already worked the back channels to contact agents, etc. Definitely too good to tip his hand and have it back fire as Thomas so famously did with Weber.

I reject the premise of Groce being the coach next year. It's just not going to happen. The only question pertaining to Groce's job status should be if he's let go in between the BTT and the NIT or after a NIT exit.

Exactly this and really nothing more needs to be debated on the subject. This is reality and the only question now is who that replacement will be.

TCTORNADO · Feb 1, 2017

dmac279 said:
If he's smart he'll keep it close to the vest

There will not be a search firm hired this time. That helps stop
leaks.

Golfer63 · Feb 1, 2017

Wisconsin basketball literally looks like 5 robots on the floor who are programmed to not make any mistakes on the court. Which of our mentioned candidates do we think have the best chance of establishing a culture and program like that? I think that's the first thing we should focus on. Not everybody can just recruit/buy their way to elite status like the bluebloods.

ilsosbob · Feb 1, 2017

FollowTisdale said:
Whitman is too good of an executive to show is hand. He's too good to not realize Groce is done, not have a list already going, not have already worked the back channels to contact agents, etc. Definitely too good to tip his hand and have it back fire as Thomas so famously did with Weber.

I reject the premise of Groce being the coach next year. It's just not going to happen. The only question pertaining to Groce's job status should be if he's let go in between the BTT and the NIT or after a NIT exit.

Do you really think we'll make the NIT?

UofIChE06 · Feb 1, 2017

Kajagoogoo said:
I'll repeat:
So you reward the guy for failing pretty much miserably through 2/3 of the season? I couldn't care less if his team bounces back and barely sneaks into the tourney. It shouldn't have struggled as mightily as it has in the first place. "Turns this around" shouldn't even be a thing with a veteran team like this.

No way does Whitman or any AD outside of probably a dozen or so schools (UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas, IU, and the like) fire a coach that makes the dance regardless of the circumstances. Just isn't going to happen. Like has been mention the chances of that being a factor are decreasing daily.

golferjohn1970 · Feb 1, 2017

ilsosbob said:
Do you really think we'll make the NIT?

I agree with Bob were not a lock for the NIT either it depends if they get to 7 or 8 wins then yes they will get an NIT bid for sure but 6-12 I say no they won't and JW can decline it and just fire Groce after the BTT.

FollowTisdale · Feb 1, 2017

ilsosbob said:
Do you really think we'll make the NIT?

No, but I'll be deep in the cold cold ground before I debate who's in the first four out of the NIT

golferjohn1970 · Feb 1, 2017

NCAA or bust with JW

UofIChE06 said:
No way does Whitman or any AD outside of probably a dozen or so schools (UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas, IU, and the like) fire a coach that makes the dance regardless of the circumstances. Just isn't going to happen. Like has been mention the chances of that being a factor are decreasing daily.

I agree and with last nights bad loss that pretty much sealed Groce's fate IMO. He had to win last night and on Saturday then who knows maybe they beat a NW on the road or Iowa and win the remaining home games but its all but over with now. Get the house for sale sign out JG!!

Second and Chalmers · Feb 1, 2017

ilsosbob said:
Do you really think we'll make the NIT?

I think it will be close. 8-10 probably gets us in. Gun to my head, I'd probably guess we end up 7-11.

(I am angering the First Four gods. Foolishly.)

Second and Chalmers · Feb 1, 2017

UofIChE06 said:
No way does Whitman or any AD outside of probably a dozen or so schools (UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas, IU, and the like) fire a coach that makes the dance regardless of the circumstances. Just isn't going to happen. Like has been mention the chances of that being a factor are decreasing daily.

Minnesota fired Tubby after making the second round!

OrangeAndBlues · Feb 1, 2017

UofIChE06 said:
No way does Whitman or any AD outside of probably a dozen or so schools (UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas, IU, and the like) fire a coach that makes the dance regardless of the circumstances. Just isn't going to happen. Like has been mention the chances of that being a factor are decreasing daily.

This is just not even close to true in any way.

LurkLongandProsper · Feb 1, 2017

OrangeKrus28 said:
Tier A coaches to make a call to: Tony Bennett, Scott Drew, Gregg Marshall
Tier B coaches to consider: Buzz Williams, Frank Martin, Chris Mack, Archie Miller, Larry Krystowiak, Cuonzo Martin, Doug Wojo(a decent substitute since I don't think we go after Chris Collins within the conference), Andy Enfield
Tier C coaches: Keatts, Rick Barnes, Tim Jankovich, Brad Underwood, Jerrod Haase, Matt MacCall.

If the Illini could get someone in my Tier A or Tier B, I'd be happy.

Obviously your list, but I disagree vehemently with:

(a) Scott Drew in a tier A

(b) Frank Martin, Cuonzo, and Wojo not on the same tier as Rick Barnes/Underwood

(c) I don't think Haase or Underwood are feasible on our list, they are both in year 1 or 2 at a new gig.

Jkat00 said:
For some reason I think Whitman goes hard after Chris Collins.

Not going to happen.

UofIChE06 said:
No way does Whitman or any AD outside of probably a dozen or so schools (UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas, IU, and the like) fire a coach that makes the dance regardless of the circumstances. Just isn't going to happen. Like has been mention the chances of that being a factor are decreasing daily.

It has happened before, and our circumstances would certainly justify it.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Feb 1, 2017

Golfer63 said:
Wisconsin basketball literally looks like 5 robots on the floor who are programmed to not make any mistakes on the court. Which of our mentioned candidates do we think have the best chance of establishing a culture and program like that? I think that's the first thing we should focus on. Not everybody can just recruit/buy their way to elite status like the bluebloods.

Tony Bennett

Second and Chalmers · Feb 1, 2017

I was confused why Matt McCall kept popping up in so many of these haphazard, pie-in-the-sky lists, and then I remembered that Chattanooga beat us last year and the spin was how great they and North Florida were.

No love for Matthew Driscoll anymore!?

Dayman · Feb 1, 2017

Danny Manning? Don't know what he has done at Wake but has major college experience, big man, black, NBA experience, and from the bill self Larry brown tree.

Second and Chalmers · Feb 1, 2017

Dayman said:
Don't know what he has done at Wake

Nothing.

Not a good hire at the time and looking like a dead man walking now.

Golfer63 · Feb 1, 2017

Dayman said:
Danny Manning? Don't know what he has done at Wake but has major college experience, big man, black, NBA experience, and from the bill self Larry brown tree.

Former Kansas star. If he develops into a great coach, I say he takes the Kansas job once Self retires.

IlliniBrave75 · Feb 1, 2017

All ADs should have a list of candidates in case of a coaching vacancy (especially in the revenue sports). JW came from NCAA Division III Washington University. That list of candidates changes significantly when you jump to the Big Ten level.

However when he got the position, he had connections in football that allowed him to make a change right away. Basketball is a different story! Hiring a new basketball coach last year (had he wanted to) might not felt as comfortable for JW.

Now (just under a year into his tenure) JW has been able to formulate a new list of basketball candidates. He has been able to determine what he is looking for in a Head Baskeball Coach. He has had a year of networking within the NCAA Division I ranks. If the season continues on the path it is on, it is likely that there will be candidates that will make it know that they are interested if the position becomes available. I personally feel confident that JW will make a great decision!

drillini · Feb 1, 2017

Dayman said:
Danny Manning? Don't know what he has done at Wake but has major college experience, big man, black, NBA experience, and from the bill self Larry brown tree.

Manning will not leave Wake Forest and the ACC for us. That is a sideways move and he is making some headway at Wake. We can also cross off Chris Collins. Should not be on any list as we would never grab another Big Ten coach unless they were fired.

I am in the Miller camp. I think Keatts is interesting but Miller has done it at a higher level and longer.

Golfer63 · Feb 1, 2017

Second and Chalmers said:
Minnesota fired Tubby after making the second round!

Minnesota just got a little delusional about their basketball program. Big mistake by them.

Anyone else remember how Gottlieb said we needed to 'know our place' when we fired Weber? Anybody think he'll have something to say about us again when we make our next coaching change?

golferjohn1970 · Feb 1, 2017

McCall is a few years away

Second and Chalmers said:
I was confused why Matt McCall kept popping up in so many of these haphazard, pie-in-the-sky lists, and then I remembered that Chattanooga beat us last year and the spin was how great they and North Florida were.

No love for Matthew Driscoll anymore!?

I like McCall a lot but he is young and really hasn't had a chance to recruit yet he is still working off Wade's guys before he went to VCU. He seems to be a up and coming good young coach like Keatts.

Second and Chalmers · Feb 1, 2017

golferjohn1970 said:
He seems to be a up and coming good young coach like Keatts.

Sure, just one with less of a track record of success at this point.

golferjohn1970 · Feb 1, 2017

drillini said:
Manning will not leave Wake Forest and the ACC for us. That is a sideways move and he is making some headway at Wake. We can also cross off Chris Collins. Should not be on any list as we would never grab another Big Ten coach unless they were fired.

I am in the Miller camp. I think Keatts is interesting but Miller has done it at a higher level and longer.

Manning is a bust as well he is 34-45 at Wake in his 3rd year. They are marginally better this year may not even make the NIT. He reminds me a lot of Groce I wouldn't want him here anyways!!

Second and Chalmers · Feb 1, 2017

Golfer63 said:
Anyone else remember how Gottlieb said we needed to 'know our place' when we fired Weber? Anybody think he'll have something to say about us again when we make our next coaching change?

Probably. Unflinchingly defending coaches against losing (as opposed to "moral" issues) is how media members retain access to the coaching profession.