I think Walker knows he'll have a job somewhere when the season is over. He'll be fine.
Brad Underwood Intro Press Conference
I think Walker knows he'll have a job somewhere when the season is over. He'll be fine.
Remember there are two other coaches on staff (Ford/Parham) so think about how disrespectful that would appear to them and how awkward it would be for Walker if you only told him he was retained. Let them coach out the season together with some grace.
This alone is a reason to be happy today as a ILLINI fan....:thumb:
haasi
- New York
Gary Parrish article last year about Bret Just, Underwood's agent whom Underwood credited as his critical go between to Whitman. http://www.cbssports.com/college-ba...ngers-on-college-basketball-coaching-changes/
Article focuses on Underwood's move last year from SFA to OK St. calling the day that he lost to ND in the round of 32 the "best" and "worst" day because in a whirlwind, he ended up taking the job at OK St. right after. Weird echoes of this year, obviously -- but trusting that his relationship with Whitman will stay very positive and hoping that he's here longer term
Article focuses on Underwood's move last year from SFA to OK St. calling the day that he lost to ND in the round of 32 the "best" and "worst" day because in a whirlwind, he ended up taking the job at OK St. right after. Weird echoes of this year, obviously -- but trusting that his relationship with Whitman will stay very positive and hoping that he's here longer term
I thought the rest of your post was pretty accurate but I'd reiterate here that on every possession there will be at least one pick and roll or hand off and roll within the continuity. That "2 man game" as Underwood calls it actually the most lethal part of the offense and probably where we will score most our half court points.
Lucas will have 3 will good passing option out of this: the roller, the guy replacing behind him, and a drive and drift look to the opposite corner which usually goes unguarded because that guys man is in natural help position on the roll.
But Lucas needs to learn to shoot and finish at the P5 level.
Hence I said I agreed with that part of the s&c's post.
davesworld
- Athens
It helps that his buyout the next couple years is over 7 mil and deteiates over time. My worry is he excells and then Duke or another blue blood wants him when itis time to retire. Are we another steping stone or do we get to keep what we found?
haasi
- New York
illinifan87
- The Windy City
Underwood's approaching this the right way for a myriad of reasons. Most importantly though, focus should absolutely be on the current team's season. Let Walker do his job as head coach. Worry about everything else after the NIT is done.
Walker isn't going anywhere until then and I'm sure there is a mutual understanding that everything will be talked about when the time is right.
Walker has multiple offers from other programs if it doesn't work out at Illinois. He's a hot commodity, as he should be. He'll be just fine.
illinifan87
- The Windy City
Yep this too. The Walker/Tilmon situation isn't going to resolve itself until after the season. Everything is on hold, so why should Underwood rush the process?
I think if Underwood is successful he will be the coach at Illinois for a long time. He is 53 and as his age goes up regardless of success he will be less desirable to the big time programs and also would probably be less likely to want to move. It will be interesting though the next few years as NC, Duke and Louisville all have old coaches who are going to get out at some point. Wouldn't it be something if they all opened in the same year. Wow would that be fun to watch
Yep. Boeheim is getting up there and his coach in waiting just left. Izzo? Lots of aging greats.
Boeheim-72
K-70
Roy-66
Pitino-64
Izzo-62
Cal-58, 63 @ current contract expiration, probably one more extension
Self-54 (only a year older than Underwood), 59 at current contract expiration, so probably 1-2 more full extensions after that.
MainelyIllini
- uh, Maine
I would be thrilled if he excels and we become another stepping stone to a blue blood school. Certainly I would be more thrilled if he excelled and stayed.
Either way that would mean that Illinois has done very well in basketball!
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Nailed it!
Chris Collins will go to Duke
If Baby Pitino builds on his success this past year at Minny, he could possibly replace his dad at Louisville
Not sure who is out there for NC. Archie?
Marshall will be at IU.
Boals will leave Stony Brook to return to tOSU
You don't know UNC if you don't realize that they'll go within the family at all costs.
It will be Hubert Davis if it has to be. Jerod Haase and King Rice probably have the inside track for the moment.
UNC and Duke are totally ignorant of the coaching search process. They think they're above the whole thing. Both will struggle after their legend retires.
At $3 mil a year, there aren't a lot of programs that can poach him. And the level of success needed to overcome that would have to be VERY high as it puts him in a the pool of elite coaches. I think you're right though, on the margins, they would prefer to get a hot young that's proven on the P5 level. A guy in his mid 40s would be more attractive than one in his mid (or later) 50s. Stevens comes to mind as the prototype of a hot commodity.
If he hits that elite pool, and Whitman has 25 mil to work with for a new guy, I think it's safe to say he'd have the money push up Underwood's salary again. If we're successful there's more attendance revenue, plus TV revenue, plus donors. If he wants to stay and has earned it, he will get paid.