2021-22 College Hoops Coaching Carousel

#882      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
Groce has had some success at his other stops. Really interesting he couldn't do it here where everything should be lined up for him.

Maybe Weber had sunk the program too far. Maybe this just wasn't the place for JG. Maybe Josh makes that big of a difference. Groce went sweet 16 and then had UCLA on the ropes big time. There is definitely something to him as a coach.
 
#883      

WyattEarp

WyattEarp
WyattEarp
I say congrats on his contract extension…and I think he’s a decent dude. But I think
you’re being a little too kind. Sorry.

If you look at the fine print…(for lack of better why to say it.) His conference record at Ohio was mediocre in a mediocre conference…and that’s being kind.

Josh undoubtedly makes a huge difference
but Brad’s ability to build/rebuild are completely different skill sets than what Groce seemingly possesses. They just are.

John is a helluva cheerleader. He can get his guys to turn up the screws defensively on occasion. But Offensively…yikes…it’s pretty much devoid of any kind of creativity. There’s just no comparison to what we’ve got…(I know you’re not arguing that exactly.) But, I see nothing at all remarkable
about his coaching chops. I really don’t.

Also, you can count me with the folks that believe too much stock is put in a single elimination tourn….SO SO often it’s better to be lucky than good… (Exhibit A: Michigan’s Sw16)

If we keep beating on the door. We’re gonna knock it down one of these years.
 
#884      

Dr Copejam

Dr Copejam
The Rock
Dr Copejam
hooraybeer said:
https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-...-job-opening-for-strength-conditioning-coach/

:unsure::unsure::unsure: Kentucky looking for new S&C coach...

hope Fletch is feeling appreciated
Click to expand...
Season 5 No GIF by The Office
 
#885      

IllinistuckinGopherland

IllinistuckinGopherland
IllinistuckinGopherland
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
Groce has had some success at his other stops. Really interesting he couldn't do it here where everything should be lined up for him.

Maybe Weber had sunk the program too far. Maybe this just wasn't the place for JG. Maybe Josh makes that big of a difference. Groce went sweet 16 and then had UCLA on the ropes big time. There is definitely something to him as a coach.
Click to expand...
Jawun Evans. Snowstorm re-route to Indy. Slow play because of Brunson. Whatever it was - not getting Jawun Evans changed Illini history. Very much seems like for the better in the long run, but Evans is what sunk Groce. In my opinion.
 
#886      

GrayGhost77

GrayGhost77
Centennial, CO
GrayGhost77
IllinistuckinGopherland said:
Jawun Evans. Snowstorm re-route to Indy. Slow play because of Brunson. Whatever it was - not getting Jawun Evans changed Illini history. Very much seems like for the better in the long run, but Evans is what sunk Groce. In my opinion.
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Same could be said for DJax, or Q. Snyder, or many other talented players that the Illini were bridesmaids for in the Groce era. Any one of them would have likely changed the trajectory, but alas we were apparently snakebitten during those years (or maybe not alas, maybe looking back it was for the better given where we are now).
 
#887      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
IllinistuckinGopherland said:
Jawun Evans. Snowstorm re-route to Indy. Slow play because of Brunson. Whatever it was - not getting Jawun Evans changed Illini history. Very much seems like for the better in the long run, but Evans is what sunk Groce. In my opinion.
Click to expand...
Ultimately, if your tenure as a coach is made or broken on the decision of one high school senior, you are still doing something wrong.
 
#888      

One Man Fast Break

O
One Man Fast Break
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
Groce has had some success at his other stops. Really interesting he couldn't do it here where everything should be lined up for him.

Maybe Weber had sunk the program too far. Maybe this just wasn't the place for JG. Maybe Josh makes that big of a difference. Groce went sweet 16 and then had UCLA on the ropes big time. There is definitely something to him as a coach.
Click to expand...
He had some bad luck and too many runner-up finishes in recruiting races, which made rosters that were too hodge-podgey of the best available, Big Ten caliber, talent that we could get instead of rosters that really complemented each other and gelled in accordance with a designed system/scheme. I also don't think Illinois was as all-in on athletics, and the tv deals for the big ten weren't like they are now, when he took over. I think in a different world, he could have been more successful. Ultimately though, he probably is just a guy who is a bit better suited for mid major ball. Really don't view him as some "Groce"-ly incompetent basketball coach given all 350-something D1 coaches that are out there, but he wasn't good enough for what Illinois needed.
 
#890      

CubIllini

C
CubIllini
I think the biggest issues with Groce is what is outlined here. Putting his eggs in one basket. Holding out on Evans with the hopes of Brunson.. DJAX... Schneider..Cliff.. the list goes on and on. Good dude, but I honestly think he was always too invested in landing the big fish, that he lost his back up plan. What if he landed some of those top guys? maybe history is different. Either way, he was never able to land the big guys. His first three seasons at Illinois were not bad, in fact decent- you could argue he should have gotten one more shake at an NCAAT bid that third year:
2012–13Illinois23–138–10T–7thNCAA Division I Second Round
2013–14Illinois20–157–11T–8thNIT Second Round
2014–15Illinois19–149–9T–7thNIT First Round

But after that.. it was all over. Good dude, just not cut out for high major ball.
 
#892      

Action10

A
Action10
WyattEarp said:
I say congrats on his contract extension…and I think he’s a decent dude. But I think
you’re being a little too kind. Sorry.

If you look at the fine print…(for lack of better why to say it.) His conference record at Ohio was mediocre in a mediocre conference…and that’s being kind.

Josh undoubtedly makes a huge difference
but Brad’s ability to build/rebuild are completely different skill sets than what Groce seemingly possesses. They just are.

John is a helluva cheerleader. He can get his guys to turn up the screws defensively on occasion. But Offensively…yikes…it’s pretty much devoid of any kind of creativity. There’s just no comparison to what we’ve got…(I know you’re not arguing that exactly.) But, I see nothing at all remarkable
about his coaching chops. I really don’t.

Also, you can count me with the folks that believe too much stock is put in a single elimination tourn….SO SO often it’s better to be lucky than good… (Exhibit A: Michigan’s Sw16)

If we keep beating on the door. We’re gonna knock it down one of these years.
Click to expand...
Agree with everything you said... Wasn't he at least our 3rd choice during that coaching search? He was probably lower than 3rd if the truth be told, but lots of guys were saying no to us at the time.
 
#894      

BretMyBeachHouse

B
BretMyBeachHouse
illini0440 said:
Probably lower than 3rd…..Stevens was interested until he talked to Mike Thomas…..no one wanted to work for that man
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I think it was clear that Thomas was a bad hire and couldn't fill coaching spots anything like our current AD. I highly doubt anyone would have landed him. UCLA couldn't get the job done either. The fact that he jumped to the NBA speaks volumes to how well regarded he was.

I do wonder if Whitman would have gone after and landed Shaka. Much more plausible in my opinion.