Gottfried was fired today. Since being hired in 2011, he went to the NCAA tournament 4 times including 2 trips to the Sweet 16.
Yet, we have those on this board thinking we should keep Groce to: preserve a solid (not spectacular) recruiting class and for fear that "we won't find anybody good that wants the job."
If we have so little confidence in our AD that he can't find a significantly better option than Groce, than we have a much bigger problem than just our basketball coach.
I believe JW will do his homework.....and whether the new coach is a "big name", a retread or an up and coming assistant, we will be in a much better place than we are right now.
A top 10ish recruiting class is spectacular for Illinois. I don't remember the last time we had this high a recruiting class, but I would guess that when we have, it was when the team was winning-- a lot.
Also, I don't think people are arguing what you think they are arguing.
Here are a few reasons that waiting could be worthwhile.
The NBA season is long. JW could have someone in mind that wants the job. He is interviewing them now and must wait until after the NBA season. Recruits and the public won't wait this long for a coach to be confirmed (May/June). In this case, I would want Groce to stay for another year to preserve the recruiting class and wait for the great coach.
We lose Frazier and Tilmon if Groce leaves.
JW is talking with coaches now and they don't like the makeup of the current scholarship situation. Waiting a year buys time with recruiting.
JW believes the new recruiting class would add to the desirability of Illinois to top-tier coaches.
JW doesn't want a debacle and wants to confirm the coach before acting.
The list goes on.
I think this idea that we can't find anyone better is not what people are trying to communicate. I also don't think they are saying all the recruits will leave and we can't find better. New coaches with a 3 year clock will weigh their options before moving their family across the country. The more stacked the pipeline, the better the opportunities. Groce took a high-risk position. By year 2 he had 9 new players, most of the talent on Illinois was not D1 talent and our ties to the major recruiting hubs were severed. I do want Groce out, but I also trust the JW will do what makes the most sense.