Let's see if we get anyone out of Texas worth getting.
Coaching Carousel (Football)
Does anyone else remember when the Houston area was assigned to Miles Smith for recruiting purposes? This guy at minimum will be a huge improvement over Miles.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
sure, but that's a super low bar. not even close to the level we need
Miles smith is an alpha
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
I would take McDonald over Stepp for a variety of reasons. Doesn’t take away from Stepp seeming like a good hire.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Literally any hire is better than Miles Smith. This isn’t a measuring stick we should be using.
How’s come?
I don't know about that....I live in SC and watch every game of theirs. He has done a great job developing some receivers the past few years - Juice Wells and Xavier Legette in particular. Add in the fact he is a top recruiter and this seems like a very good hire
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
I said it was likely a good hire. Why is it always blasphemous to speak highly of a former coach?
My question wasn’t anything more than just being curious as to why you preferred Geo. Not Blasphemous at all. Love Geo. He’s great and a good dude.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
McDonald proved to be a successful recruiter, had lots of strong State of Illinois connections, and developed the Illinois WR room into its best talent collection and performing unit in 15+ years. The bonus is he already did that at University of Illinois, he proved he could do that within the difficult environment of Illinois football. The market also supports my stance, as McDonald got a promotion and salary bump at a better program.
If Stepp maintains the success of the WR room that was established under McDonald, I would be thrilled. This hire checks some great boxes - he can recruit, he has experience, the development at his previous stop was good. Stepp could be really good at Illinois, but McDonald already was.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
No issue with your question - it's the general narrative on here that negative light is cast on former players/coaches once they leave.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
understood why McDonald left. was worried that BB would not be able to land someone of McDonald's caliber. love this hire, could be a home run.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
General comment:
We have to face the fact that there are ~50 Division 1 schools that are upgrades over Illinois football. Then add to that number another 32 NFL franchises.
Coaches are inherently going to be enticed to leave if they have success here. And we should all consider it a good thing. Bring on the success!
Let's then use that success to continually improve our own coaching staff. It's an example of the world working as it should.
ILL !
We have to face the fact that there are ~50 Division 1 schools that are upgrades over Illinois football. Then add to that number another 32 NFL franchises.
Coaches are inherently going to be enticed to leave if they have success here. And we should all consider it a good thing. Bring on the success!
Let's then use that success to continually improve our own coaching staff. It's an example of the world working as it should.
ILL !
honestly feel this is an upgrade in terms of development. I liked McDonald but was never thrilled with WR development. Feel like Stepp will really focus on this and hopefully develop more threats than just 1wr.
How much of McDonald's success, or any WR coach for that matter, a function of how good your offensive co-ordinator is?
He took a lifelong QB and turned him into an NFL prospect
He took a relatively unathletic possession type guy and developed into a weapon his Sr year (and will get some NFL looks)
He took a borderline top 1000 recruit and turned him into one of the better WRs in the conf and likely our #1 next year
He took a chance on a lightly-recruited WR from the south and he showed some potential last year
Not to mention he recruited our best WR prospect in years
He had relatively little to ever work with here and did a great job as well as being the asst head coach
Only weapon was Juice. Not much else. just didn’t see much development. Just my opinion. Hoping Stepp can develop the group.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Pat might be a preseason all-B1G WR this year. Only one Illinois player had more receiving TDs than Bryant in the last 10 years. Casey Washington took major strides last year. Best chain mover on the team. He also was a solid blocker. This is also ignoring IW going from great athlete to one of the best WRs in CFB last year.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
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The inconsistencies plagued many in the wr room. Bryant dropped more balls than most and still struggles with route running. Washington should have improved considering age, but still too inconsistent. look forward to better development.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Our WR group was a bright spot last season. One of the best position groups on the team. Almost all improved from the season before. George raised the floor and let's Stepp can sustain it or raise it even more (I think he can).
Maybe they will be a Stepp up from last year.