illini80
- Forgottonia
Plus leaving a million $ on the table for a year is something hard to fathom. But we don’t know exactly what his opportunities are. A lot shuffling still to happen.
Aaron Henry named Illini Defensive Coordinator
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Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I think that bird has flown.
But the rest of your post, yeah. Bielema was taking a loss, either way (Kane or Henry). He made his choice.
The question I'd love to know the answer to is, I believe I read Kane had the 85th ranked defense before him came to Illinois, Walters had the 93rd. Walters did have a top 20 defense 2 years before he came over, but Missouri didn't really care much when we took him away. We didn't have any major recruiting hauls that brought in a ton of highly rated players, so what happened?
Basically, how much of this defense is Bielema vs the guys that are leaving?
Basically, how much of this defense is Bielema vs the guys that are leaving?
They built a a whole new defense from scratch.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Influenced by Bielema's time in the NFL
Exactly. In my mind, it's Bret's defense implemented by the assistant coaches. Doesn't mean those guys didn't bring in ideas and wrinkles to the plan.
Otoh, maybe Walters and Kane had more freedom under Bret to do what they wanted to do than they did at their previous stops.
Whichever it is I'm happy with where we're at, excited by the Henry promotion, and looking forward to the next coaching hires.
EDIT: looks like 0440 answered the question before I could post.
sacraig
- The desert
If you work at McDonald's and Burger King offers you a job as a manager with twice the pay, do you stay at McDonald's out of loyalty?
sacraig
- The desert
FIFY
Actually I see this as great news. First, this is a testament of BB’s eval of assistant coaches. Walters and Kane were home run hires initially for sure. Their results as coaches has led them to a head coach and DC for a B1G program in a short period of time. How impressive is that?!?
Second, this just excites me on what Henry brings to the larger table, not only as a recruiter, but as a DC. If BB is handing him the reins, then BB knows he can handle it with aplomb.
Third, I am very eager to see the next position coach(es) he hires. Who he hires, will be more than capable of coaching at a high level. BB has already proven that with his past hires.
Second, this just excites me on what Henry brings to the larger table, not only as a recruiter, but as a DC. If BB is handing him the reins, then BB knows he can handle it with aplomb.
Third, I am very eager to see the next position coach(es) he hires. Who he hires, will be more than capable of coaching at a high level. BB has already proven that with his past hires.
Recruiting, especially in the wild west NIL/portal era, is king. If you believe that, the choice makes sense. One thing Bielema has proven is that he gets the modern CFB/P5 landscape and necessity to adapt to it.
But it's a huge loss. I don't think you can rationalize that away. Although, from Purdue's perspective, these moves are far from risk free. There's certainly a theory of the case that Bielema is the visionary field general and Walters and Kane were effective lieutenants. About a billion unsuccessful coordinator-to-head-coach attempts in both college and pro football speak to this particular phenomenon.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Well I more mean the player thing. It was always that way with coaches.
Mass transfers as just a "seeya later, my meal ticket is over here now" is the new emergent reality, as the fig leaf of "a wrenching decision, but after much prayer and consultation with my family I've decided the best option for me is to enter the transfer portal" blah blah blah falls away.
The problem is that the players are now getting paid to play, but they are under no formal obligation to hold up their end of the bargain. That's an unsustainable equilibrium and will be the next shoe to drop.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I believe BB has the connections to make whatever necessary hires we need , within whatever the time frame is that's best for the program..........
he didn't waste any time replacing the first OC hire and bettered the program ......I have zero doubts in his ability to do the same with the next hires.....
ZERO Doubt's............case closed ........period ...........end of discussion..........
Who in their right mind should be worried about BB's choices ??...............................
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Asst. coach options:
Secondary: Chris Ash, Josh Conklin, Paul Rhoads, Hawthorne, Chip Vaughn.
OLBs: Erik Chinander, Roc Bellantoni, Walter Stewart.
There could and probably will be more options. Also still think it’s possible Henry coaches all the secondary and Bret goes OLB and a TE coach depending on what happens with Ben Miller. Also some rumors out there about CPatt looking to go elsewhere.
Secondary: Chris Ash, Josh Conklin, Paul Rhoads, Hawthorne, Chip Vaughn.
OLBs: Erik Chinander, Roc Bellantoni, Walter Stewart.
There could and probably will be more options. Also still think it’s possible Henry coaches all the secondary and Bret goes OLB and a TE coach depending on what happens with Ben Miller. Also some rumors out there about CPatt looking to go elsewhere.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
What do we know about Ben Miller health-wise?
We need to make this counterargument a sticky post since it comes up 20 times a year
Progressing well. Was on the sideline for games. And is recruiting(on campus) and making calls.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
For sure, it's (Walters and Kane) a very big loss (not sure about huge). But it was unavoidable. And with that loss comes great opportunity. I very much doubt that Bielema is going to make bad calls on these openings.
Those secondary coaches are legit.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
I’ll be a fan of anyone that contributes something meaningful to the beloved. Even after these guys move on there have been relationships established and BB’s network just gets bigger.
Everyone moves on sooner or later to do greater things, or at least things that are meaningful to them.
Ehhh. He’s OK. Solid dude though.
Awesome guy … Coaching/recruiting wise, I wouldn’t say it’s a huge loss especially since I’ve got an pretty good idea who Bret would replace him with …
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