Welp. That's the first coach mentioned who's younger than me.
I haven't heard his name mentioned for any coaching job but my sources tell me John Scheyer is ready. With the success of the Duke coaching tree, it might be smart to get this guy before he becomes a hot commodity. He's an Illinois guy who could recruit nationally also. Has anyone heard his name mentioned for any job?
I can say with 100% certainty that I would lose all respect for Josh Whitman if he offered it to Frank Martin.Really like Frank Martin....the man can rebuild a program. But I can say with 100% certainty that he will not take the job.
Need to use the Not sure if serious meme again.
People forget two things:
1. The NIT is down to the 4 teams going to New York before the Sweet 16 starts. It goes fast.
2. The Final Four is the big coaching fair for the industry and usually the dominoes don't really start falling until then.
There isn't anybody on our board who isn't going to be occupied between today and at least like March 17-18. I bet Groce coaches whatever postseason we attain.
NCAA Sweet 16 & Elite 8 rounds-- March 23-26th
NIT Final Four -- March 29th
Right, but the four teams will be set by the 22nd if last year's schedule holds.
For real, though. Apparently that school seriously expects to be a peer of UNC and Duke. I wouldn't blame coaches for trying to stay clear. I know we have ideas about where Illinois should be as a program, but I don't think we expect to be a perennial contender and bonafide blueblood (though I wouldn't mind being that!).That job is toxic.
Whitman doesn't strike me as dumb enough to hang his first basketball hire on a guy with 2 plus years of head coaching experience, no ties to chicago, and limited ties to the midwest.
I'd like a bit more evidence that the coach can handle D-1 recruiting.
I would probably be more skeptical of the translatability of having been a high school/prep school coach of high major recruits and having been an assistant at an elite recruiting program than most, but it's not nothing. It's not hiring a Ben Jacobson type who has never been around high major talent in his life.
He needs to hire somebody that has a big enough name not to disrupt the recruiting class.
What do you think are the qualifications that he'll be looking for?
Really like Frank Martin....the man can rebuild a program. But I can say with 100% certainty that he will not take the job.
Your point is valid, but you have to remember that this is Whitman's first hire for basketball since he's stepped foot on campus. What do you think are the qualifications that he'll be looking for?
1. Experience?
2. Chicago Ties?
3. Midwest Ties?
4. A name that will keep the recruiting class in tact??
He might hire Keatts, but I'd be shocked. I never said I disagree with the hire, just don't think it'll take place all things considered. He needs to hire somebody that has a big enough name not to disrupt the recruiting class.
Sure he needs to get it right. Nobody would argue against that. You're telling me that he'd be willing to throw out all "common sense" rules for hiring to bring on Keatts?
Weber won games before he arrived....
I'd love Monty Williams....
Look, Weber wasn't considered a great recruiter in the Midwest and he was a small school coach. However, he fits your qualifications as being a winning coach. I expect that Whitman will have his sights set on a bigger target. If he doesn't succeed, Groce will be back.
The whole notion that Whitman will be negotiating with candidates before he fires Groce, and he will only fire Groce if he succeeds, remains laughable.