Sure he has points. But keeping Groce for another year makes more sense if no one decent is available and the program won't be further damaged.
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I don't respect Jeff Goodman much at all, but he sure is adamant on Twitter that Archie to NC State isn't going to happen
Groce will coach at Illinois next year. Whitman will not replace him without that perfect replacement hire, that creates excitement around program, like Lovie.
And, does anyone really think that Mont Williams with no connections to ILL is coming here, or Archie Miller or Marshall who have turned down some big school ffers over the years. Maybe, maybe, maybe Cuonzo Martin is long shot with Midwest ties. But really leaving Cal who just supported him with contract thru 2021. Really. Nope, Groce will be with ILL in 2017-2018. Whitman supports him. Likes his recruits. And simply not home run hire. Support Groce. Go ILL.
Joe, I hope you are correct. I think Groce has to go, but the last thing I want is the debacle that led to him being here. Offering a bunch of coaches a lot of money and none of them wanting the job.
When Groce came, we had a talent problem. Although I believe with next year's class, that page is turned. I do believe that we have a scholarships problem. That could be exacerbated with losing future classes as a new coach arrives.
If we losing the incoming class along with next year's class and the potential to recruit for possibly another year with more uncertainty, I believe, would be devastating. Couple that with struggle finding a coach, and the diminished perspective of Illinois basketball, I think that puts us back to where we were roughly when Groce arrived.
I think we have a great class coming in, we are going to lose this year anyway. Let Groce keep the class and begin looking for next year.
Groce will coach at Illinois next year. Whitman will not replace him without that perfect replacement hire, that creates excitement around program, like Lovie.
And, does anyone really think that Mont Williams with no connections to ILL is coming here, or Archie Miller or Marshall who have turned down some big school ffers over the years. Maybe, maybe, maybe Cuonzo Martin is long shot with Midwest ties. But really leaving Cal who just supported him with contract thru 2021. Really. Nope, Groce will be with ILL in 2017-2018. Whitman supports him. Likes his recruits. And simply not home run hire. Support Groce. Go ILL.
Joe, I hope you are correct. I think Groce has to go, but the last thing I want is the debacle that led to him being here. Offering a bunch of coaches a lot of money and none of them wanting the job.
When Groce came, we had a talent problem. Although I believe with next year's class, that page is turned. I do believe that we have a scholarships problem. That could be exacerbated with losing future classes as a new coach arrives.
If we losing the incoming class along with next year's class and the potential to recruit for possibly another year with more uncertainty, I believe, would be devastating. Couple that with struggle finding a coach, and the diminished perspective of Illinois basketball, I think that puts us back to where we were roughly when Groce arrived.
I think we have a great class coming in, we are going to lose this year anyway. Let Groce keep the class and begin looking for next year.
Where did this "he might get another year" stuff come from, officially? Where did the rumor start? I'm terrible at trying to navigate twitter.
Because whoever started it is a dummy, or related to Groce. He's gone, and there's not point in even debating it. There are 10s of coaches who Illinois could get very easily who would be a better coach than Groce. Unless Whitman is picking names out of a hat, it will be hard to get a coach worse than what Groce has done in his time here.
I'd rather have Finke's dad coach next year than Groce
Jeff Johnson...
No matter who the coach is I like that Lucas and Frazier will be able to break down a defense and either score or dish off and I like that Tillmon should be a shot blocking presence which should help the defense
Are you close enough that you can just lob Baby Ruths into the pool?
Just out of curiosity, Whitman is obviously respected by ILLINOIS people, does he really have a reputation other than 'unknown' outside of our following? Keep hearing people refer to working for him as a 'plus' in this search, but he's been at the D1 level for under a year, does he really have enough of a reputation that these coaching candidates would even know his name before it shows up on their caller ID? I just don't see how we can consider him as a pro/plus in this search in terms of our job appeal.
It has been suggested to me that some of the names mentioned throughout this thread as prospective hires perceive Whitman as a "football guy" based on his background, experience and priorities at Illinois. A few of the names would only leave their current positions for a University that is a "basketball school" where the basketball program is the unquestioned #1 priority for the university, athletic department, AD, fans and donors. Illinois is not perceived that way by a few of the names mentioned.
Just out of curiosity, Whitman is obviously respected by ILLINOIS people, does he really have a reputation other than 'unknown' outside of our following? Keep hearing people refer to working for him as a 'plus' in this search, but he's been at the D1 level for under a year, does he really have enough of a reputation that these coaching candidates would even know his name before it shows up on their caller ID? I just don't see how we can consider him as a pro/plus in this search in terms of our job appeal.
And why would Groce's family go around saying "nah it's fine he's got another year"? Either his wife said something like "we don't want to move, hope he'll be here next year" or more likely, didn't say a single thing and someone is making it all up.
What have you seen that makes you think coach Groce can win with any combination of players he's had or will have? He's continued to under perform with players that are at the very least +50% big ten record caliber. Coach is a great guy and I really wish it would have worked out but Whitman can see this and will make a move this year. There are no apologies, rationalizations, hoping or planning that will change that just because a few of you like him of feel bad for him. If we lose an entire recruiting class (which we wont) that's what will have to happen.
good bye coach, good luck in your future.
It has been suggested to me that some of the names mentioned throughout this thread as prospective hires perceive Whitman as a "football guy" based on his background, experience and priorities at Illinois. A few of the names would only leave their current positions for a University that is a "basketball school" where the basketball program is the unquestioned #1 priority for the university, athletic department, AD, fans and donors. Illinois is not perceived that way by a few of the names mentioned.
Boy is it weird to think about Illinois that way, but hopefully 5 years from now this is a much more positive sentiment if Lovie can compete in the B1G. Although if this is in fact the reality of the situation, it seems like Keatts could still be a possibility. As it has been previously discussed, he isn't necessarily regarded as a big splash or someone who is in line for a power 5 program next season.
Just out of curiosity, Whitman is obviously respected by ILLINOIS people, does he really have a reputation other than 'unknown' outside of our following? Keep hearing people refer to working for him as a 'plus' in this search, but he's been at the D1 level for under a year, does he really have enough of a reputation that these coaching candidates would even know his name before it shows up on their caller ID? I just don't see how we can consider him as a pro/plus in this search in terms of our job appeal.
(b) I can't imagine how Groce would suddenly grow skills in the offseason that he hasn't shown in the past four. He's shown no capacity to change his approach, or try new schemes, or change his coaching staff to make things better.
This. And more often than not, he looks confused by what is happening - almost paralyzed by it and unable to change/adjust...look no further than the fact that here we are, 75% of the season done, and the rotations are still a mess unlike I've ever seen in college hoops. It's ridiculous.
Groce has used 9 different starting lineups this year.
Groce has used 9 different starting lineups this year.