IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I'd absolutely be down, in my Twin Torches shirt and everything
Coaching Carousel (Basketball)
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OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
Former Syracuse guard Gerry McNamara has been named Siena head coach.
I acknowledge that Illinois still playing very likely has something to do with this, but if someone like McNamara can get a head job, there is zero reason for qualified assistants on the Illinois staff to not be getting serious consideration for head coaching roles. What exactly has Syracuse done to make McNamara head coach material that Illinois hasn’t done?
I acknowledge that Illinois still playing very likely has something to do with this, but if someone like McNamara can get a head job, there is zero reason for qualified assistants on the Illinois staff to not be getting serious consideration for head coaching roles. What exactly has Syracuse done to make McNamara head coach material that Illinois hasn’t done?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I think McNamara has a reputation as the "power behind the throne" at Syracuse. Certainly since Boeheim retired, but even before.
Is that the truth? Heck, I dunno. But that's not a reputation that any of our assistants have, we are Brad's show and the assistants are the Bradettes there to do his bidding and get him players. Nobody looks at our assistants as an opportunity to import our program's identity.
Nonetheless I think Chester Frazier is definitely building a head coaching resume with his success at multiple stops under multiple respected coaches and recruiting prowess. He's still only 37 though, albeit a very experienced 37.
And of course even people empowered to make hiring decisions aren't above being kinda dumb: McNamara is a famous and beloved player in that part of the world. He's a name that wins you the press conference. If Chester Frazier the coach were Dee Brown the player, he'd probably have a head job by now. Very possibly one he wasn't ready for and his career will be better off for the wait and experience.
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OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
Makes sense, but if he is the power behind the throne, why was Autry named head coach? I know no one here has that answer, but it would have seemed like Syracuse would have gone the Scheyer route instead of the more veteran assistant.
I want Illinois to be a location that churns out good future head coaches. You will continue to get top assistants with that kind of reputation.
OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
Morehead State coach Preston Spradlin heading to James Madison to replace Mark Byington, who took the Vanderbilt job earlier this week.
Hey, I know someone who has some recent experience against Morehead State that could be a good candidate for that role . . .
Hey, I know someone who has some recent experience against Morehead State that could be a good candidate for that role . . .
My children played against Lomira in high school... About 15 miles from Waupun a much bigger and better school, where the Damasks were from. If you go there, be prepared for REALLY small town Wisconsin atmosphere with a pretty good golf course (Camelot) and absolutely nothing else going on. About 12 miles from Fond du Lac where that big running back at Wisconsin was from. Home of Mercury Marine, where I worked for 25+ years...
I like to orient myself with where all the little Wisconsin towns are compared to Road America, but this works too
Road America is just past the north west tip of Lake Winnebago (30 miles long 6 miles wide 15 feet deep!)
Fond du Lac sits at its base. Oshkosh on its left side middle and Appleton on the Northwest.
Lomira is about 15 miles south of Fond du Lac on hwy 41, just east of the Horicon marsh where 250000 waterfowl gather each fall-spring on their flight south or north.
Waupun is another 10miles west, where Damask played. Lomira is a clear step down from Waupun.
There you have the make-up of that Damask area! How we got him to come to illinois I have no clue, but I'm sure glad he's there. I LOVE his grit, fearlessness and determination.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
A Huggy Bear disciple in Mormon country, sounds like a sitcom!
Stevegarbs
- Mokena, IL
Northwest tip? RA is due east of the southern end of Lake Winnebago.
Seems like an incredible hire for Charleston. Good for them. Anyway, go Illini! Beat the piss out of UCoNN
Also something to be happy about on a night we all need it -- that Michigan ended up with Dusty May and not Nate Oats.
Apparently Snacks is gonna stay on as assistant coach there
I’m praying we don’t lose Frazier cuz he’s a big recruiter
Picky picky....
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Starting point guard on the 2003 NCAA National Champs probably helps to some extent. And that was a great Syracuse team with tons of TV exposure in the old Big East.
So he absolutely has "name recognition" in his favor.
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