2017 Coaching Carousel
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I just don't think he provides a ceiling above being an annual bubble team. I stand by wanting to move on regardless, save a tourney run, but he's finally and indisputably got this team playing well and up to expectations (with some different pieces contributing heavily than probably fans and coaches expected)
Have to judge things on the entire body of work. Big week coming up. Team playing really hard. For those who say where this has been all year, it is a long season. Judge on entire body of work. Seniors were enormous tonite. That is what they are supposed to do. Keep winning and Whitman decision will become easy to make, one way or the other.
I agree with you that I think we can find a better coach. My thinking is just that coming into the season, I always thought if Groce makes the NCAAT, he shouldn't get fired. However, some of the coaching decisions that I saw from him earlier in the season soured me on the guy. But, if he makes the NCAAT, you don't really have a legit reason to fire the guy.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Wasn't the consensus at beginning of the season, make the tournament and he stays? I was ready for change after first Maryland game.
I mean, you do have a reason, it's just a matter of whether you choose to set the bar higher than what we've gotten or not. Even if he makes this run to the NCAAT, which would be great -- Malcolm Hill deserves a tournament -- it's not like this season was overwhelmingly inspiring. Also not the first time we've made a late run, but we are consistently bad in Jan.
Yup. That was the consensus. He's not dancing yet, however.
that's what I thought it was, and I was ready for a change after Groce trotted out the same starting lineup and leaving TJL and Kipper on the bench after they had shown the game before that they deserved more playtime.
I completely agree and like somebody else said, he still hasn't made the tournament. Still needs to win out. I just want Malcolm Hill to get to an NCAAT
Big Ten Record:
Year 1: 8-10
Year 2: 7-11
Year 3: 9-9
Year 4: 5-13
Year 5: 7-9
Note that only one season has been even a .500 season. And sure, they could win the last two games. But have things really gotten so bad that we are now excited about a .500 Big Ten season?
He also coached that painful to watch 2011-2012 team.
PhillyIllini
- Los Angeles
Yea, let's hope not. Groce is nothing more than mediocrity at a program that should demand excellence.
I expected this season to be better, playing the way they are playing now.
And, that - I think - is the point. Combine the way they are playing now, with the next group of players and we should have a good team next year.
Unless we get a really good coach, that is capable of recruiting and coaching and not having to toss next year, I would stick with Groce IF he were to win out the BT and win perhaps two games in teh BTT.
Deleted member 236589
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I think he's back now for three reasons:
Despite the mid-season issues, he's kept this group together and has kept them motivated. I give him a lot of credit for that. The fact that the game on Wednesday has the significance that it does is a testament to them holding the season together....while he was getting booed at home games and questioned about his job status with 8 games to go.
They have a good young nucleus that, again, plays hard for him.
They have a recruiting class coming in that they won't want to break up if they don't HAVE to.
Three weeks ago....There was no choice. This team was headed for 4-14 in conference. Now.....Not so much.
I think he bought himself another year.
He has to purchase more that one year. I appreciate you points but it may not be enough.
It is very possible that Whitman has his guy but this is the wrong thread for that.
I think with the strong finish and the great class coming in he will and should stay. Next year you need to continue to improve or he's gone then . Lucas has changed it all on both ends of the floor. No surprise as he has improved to the point he is now that we have gone from lousy to good. A football team with a lousy QB will improve a lot if they then get a good one.
Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
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The consensus on this board was make the tournament was the go/ no go decision. Frankly, I doubt the teams record has ever been JW's sole criterion. From JWs perspective the measure should be more about a long-term perspective. His evaluation criterion might be more like
1- Do JW/JFG have the same philosophy, and work well together. From 150 miles away they seem like similar personalities
2- The team has had several off court issues. I suspect the real make or break was to become convinced JFG could keep the program out of the news pages. This years only minor controversy seems to have been about DJW LOA. I have no idea if playing time is the only issue of if there is more to the story, but it has not seemed to be a distraction.
3 - Recruiting - lots of spots to fill....JFG seemed to get the players they wanted.
4- On court performance - eye test. The blow-outs where we didn't look ready to play are a big negative, but the team has not quit (like they might have in the past)
5- On court performance - record - This board felt the NCAAT was a slamdunk. Preseason pundits had us picked 10th. Ken prom had us at 70. If JW is to evaluate performance to expectation he would let the benchmark be set by outside experts. Like it or not we are performing to expectations. In reality a NCAAT bid or not has only a little bearing on where the team will be in three years.
Heck of a picture there, good find jkat00
Deleted member 8213
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Is that Whitman? If so I think it says quite a bit to the dismay of a lot of folks here.
Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
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