Chester Frazier joins Illinois coaching staff

#205      

uofi7477

Silver & Gold Vandals
I mean, before coming here OA had at least 7 top-50 recruits to his name, including five 5-star recruits and one guy who was ranked #1, then he managed to pull in two more top-50 guys here, but ok.

Thank you for the info. Good to know that OA and Chin took in 2 Top 50 guys over 4 years at Illinois. Chester Frazier and Unnamed AC should surpass this easily over the next four years.
 
#207      
I mean, before coming here OA had at least 7 top-50 recruits to his name, including five 5-star recruits and one guy who was ranked #1, then he managed to pull in two more top-50 guys here, but ok.

At a place like Kentucky, I’d imagine signing top 50 guys would be like shooting fish in a barrel. You going to have to work a little harder in Champaign.
 
#208      
Thank you for the info. Good to know that OA and Chin took in 2 Top 50 guys over 4 years at Illinois. Chester Frazier and Unnamed AC should surpass this easily over the next four years.
Yeah, no. Chin brought in AM and, while 247 doesn't credit him for it, also some guy named Ayo who just happens to be one of the best players to ever suit up for the Illini. If Frazier and an AC to be named later bring in 4 guys of that quality in the next four years I'd be thrilled, but that's a tall order.
 
#209      
At a place like Kentucky, I’d imagine signing top 50 guys would be like shooting fish in a barrel. You going to have to work a little harder in Champaign.
Sure, but you don't even get to that position without being an outstanding recruiter, and more importantly, the experience of recruiting at such a high level is invaluable. I am sure Frazier will be fine, but there's a reason they also offered experienced recruiters with a track record like Mennenga and Young. I think BU and JW wanted to pair him with a guy like that.
 
#212      
I was a little underwhelmed initially, but after hearing what he did at VTech I believe it will be a solid hire.
We have lamented the lack of loyalty of coaches in the past, no doubt we got the loyalty consideration from CF.

After seeing the recent past hires of Lovie, Underwood, Antigua, and Beliema; believe we will bring in a significant name to replace Antigua. Also don't think we will surrender instate/Chicago recruiting. Not sure if the big name is Menega, Ostrom or other big name recruiter.
 
#217      

iLL 89ers

Dallas,TX , Born and raised in Alton,Illinois
Welcome back to Illini` Nation Coach Frazier....Glad you wanted to be Illini` guy once again.....can`t wait to see you do your work that you will provide . Again Congrats on (wanting / coming) back to Fighting Illini` with that heart and desire and fire you played with....you will be awesome.... Rock on Coach - and get`er done !!!
 
#218      
A great example of a relentless and hardworking guy!

Clearly a very positive coach....and will be a great mentor and influence for our players!

BU you Nailed it with Chester hire!
 
#219      
I don't think the negativity is directed at Frazier, who should be a great addition. After Whitman threw untold millions at Antigua and all the talk about competing with the blue bloods, I think a lot of us were hoping for a higher profile hire. I'm hoping the next hire has more of a national profile. If Frazier is the exciting one, I'll be disappointed.
You'll be disappointed without giving him a chance.
 
#220      
Someone with a track record of pulling in top 50 recruits?
Underwood has been trying that and the current schools are matching the offers. Antigua wasn't a great recruiter until he got to Kentucky. Everyone has to start somewhere and maybe Frazier will be on that list of Top Ten Recruiters in the next couple of years.
 
#221      
this. I'm just a random fan and I am open to being pleasantly surprised but, having climbed this far up the mountain out of the wasteland that Weber and Groce left us at, I am leery. Just saying. A more experienced coach with a longer track record and more proven recruiting success would have sat better with me. Time will tell. I hope for the best.
You realize those kind of coaches have good jobs at schools with the means to match any money that Illinois offers? Antigua was unemployed when Underwood hired him and Coleman was at a mid major. Fans had better adjust their sites on this hire.
 
#222      
Sure, but you don't even get to that position without being an outstanding recruiter, and more importantly, the experience of recruiting at such a high level is invaluable. I am sure Frazier will be fine, but there's a reason they also offered experienced recruiters with a track record like Mennenga and Young. I think BU and JW wanted to pair him with a guy like that.
When Antigua went from Memphis to Kentucky with Cal, he wasn't considered a great recruiter. Being at a school like Kentucky has a way of enhancing the recruiting reputation of the assistants.
 
#223      
What have you seen before? Wasn't the last alum we hired Jerrance Howard? That was a pretty good hire. Do we have a history of giving undeserved chances to alums I'm not thinking of?
Howard's resume was very slim when Weber hired him. One more time when Weber didn't understand that BIG schools should only hire top talent for assistants. I personally wouldn't call Howard a good hire. Didn't know how to write a scouting report, was lazy, gave a half assed effort in recruiting, wanted to be one of the gang when he should have understood he was a coach and acted accordingly. Frazier is much better than Howard.
 
#225      
HOWEVER, with loss comes opportunity,
Good post, and I needed to see this message today, thanks!

Chester will be a great hire in the end... I remember thinking that this guy was a waste of a scholarship early on as a player and he won me over with his grit and became unbelievably important as a senior. BU hiring CF adds to the toughness that our future teams will have.