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mhuml32 · Jan 28, 2024

Illiniguy74 said:
I'm guessing getting your foot in the door as an assistant at a B1G school trumps a Big 12 gig at roughly the same level.

Being an OC at a P4 program > Being a WR coach with auxiliary title at P2 program

This sport is silly and nothing is 100% but it would be incredibly wild if Scheelhaase came here without play calling. He's been rewarded by Campbell over the past few years and he's well set up for his next move.

therealmiket86 · Jan 28, 2024

therealmiket86 said:
Getting rid of buh never made sense. Very good coach with national recruiting ties. Everyone wants John holecek but they wouldn’t be an improvement

Also buh has national recruiting ties. I’m not sure being the former head coach at Loyola academy would help Holecek recruit in state. 99% of the public schools hate Loyola academy and the top teams in the Catholic league are on the south side. That’s why if we went the hs route to fill a position on the staff Lynch would be the way to go. Get Holecek on board as an analyst.

Indy Illini Fan · Jan 28, 2024

McDonald was not in attendance for Carlos Orr's home visit this afternoon ... Bret, Barry, A Hen, and Thad all attended ...

Think moving Ward to WR coach and hiring a new RB coach is definitely on the table ...

BashCtIllini · Jan 28, 2024

Indy Illini Fan said:
McDonald was not in attendance for Carlos Orr's home visit this afternoon ... Bret, Barry, A Hen, and Thad all attended ...

Think moving Ward to WR coach and hiring a new RB coach is definitely on the table ...

We should hire Barry Sanders

Indy Illini Fan · Jan 28, 2024

BashCtIllini said:
We should hire Barry Sanders

While that would be awesome ...

How about a more realistic name ...

Brian Anderson - Football Coach - Kansas State University Athletics

A 29-year coaching veteran with a versatile background of coaching offensive skill positions, Brian Anderson is in his sixth season as K-State’s runni...

www.kstatesports.com

TheDrinkinLincoln · Jan 28, 2024

Indy Illini Fan said:
While that would be awesome ...

How about a more realistic name ...

Brian Anderson - Football Coach - Kansas State University Athletics

A 29-year coaching veteran with a versatile background of coaching offensive skill positions, Brian Anderson is in his sixth season as K-State’s runni...

www.kstatesports.com

I mean if he can turn Vaughn into that good of back I'm absolutely down. Are we a good enough destination to pull him from KSU for a lateral move?

Indy Illini Fan · Jan 28, 2024

TheDrinkinLincoln said:
I mean if he can turn Vaughn into that good of back I'm absolutely down. Are we a good enough destination to pull him from KSU for a lateral move?

Could easily see something like RB Coach/Run Game Coordinator ... We can pay him more than he's making at K State as well ...

phats22 · Jan 28, 2024

Indy Illini Fan said:
Could easily see something like RB Coach/Run Game Coordinator ... We can pay him more than he's making at K State as well ...

Recruiting chops?

JucoIllini10 · Jan 28, 2024

Indy Illini Fan said:
While that would be awesome ...

How about a more realistic name ...

Brian Anderson - Football Coach - Kansas State University Athletics

A 29-year coaching veteran with a versatile background of coaching offensive skill positions, Brian Anderson is in his sixth season as K-State’s runni...

www.kstatesports.com

Solid option - experienced, time spent in Illinois/Midwest, and worked under Jerry Kill

Is he worth outbidding K State for? Not sure how much he brings in the recruiting department given the importance of being a big time recruiter at the RB coach position.

Kendall Gill’s Uncle · Jan 28, 2024

That would be amazing but I don’t think Barry could teach anyone to run like he did.

Ander1345 · Jan 28, 2024

Don't worry about it. I'll do it!

Credits Include: Beating Kansas State 84-14 in NCAA Football.

Indy Illini Fan · Jan 28, 2024

JucoIllini10 said:
Solid option - experienced, time spent in Illinois/Midwest, and worked under Jerry Kill

Is he worth outbidding K State for? Not sure how much he brings in the recruiting department given the importance of being a big time recruiter at the RB coach position.

Has spent a lot of time in the state ... That holds significant weight with Bret ...

He is really tied in at the JUCO level as well which we all know is a spot Bret likes ...

TheDrinkinLincoln · Jan 28, 2024

Indy Illini Fan said:
Has spent a lot of time in the state ... That holds significant weight with Bret ...

He is really tied in at the JUCO level as well which we all know is a spot Bret likes ...

Sounds like a slam dunk that could take some of the sting out of the subpar Buh replacement. Starting to get scared Buh's replacement is going to be Miles Smith or Steve Belicheck, but hopefully it will be a young up and comer that played LB at the DI level.

Indy Illini Fan · Jan 28, 2024

TheDrinkinLincoln said:
Sounds like a slam dunk that could take some of the sting out of the subpar Buh replacement. Starting to get scared Buh's replacement is going to be Miles Smith or Steve Belicheck, but hopefully it will be a young up and comer that played LB at the DI level.

If I was making the hire ...

Jeff Koonz - Football Coach - West Virginia University Athletics

Follow @CoachKoonz The Koonz File Personal Information Birthday May 30 Hometown Wallkill, N.Y. Education Auburn,

wvusports.com

jimbo72 · Jan 29, 2024

I have no idea what is currently happening with the staff. Somewhat confused, especially for the timing. If I recall, Brett supposedly left Wisconsin due to lack of money for his assistants at Wisconsin. Even though he had 7 straight bowl games/ 3 rose bowls, 1 win.
Arkansas his 3rd through 5th season he had momentum. Then his Oline coach went to Bama and others left. It became a dumpster fire.
Well, here we go. let's see what he comes up with during rocking tides? In retrospect, there has been a ton of turnover the past 2 season.
I cheered when CoachB was hired! I felt he was the right hire and still do today. Let's solidify our staff and have stability for 3 years. It is crucial at this stage in Coaches and our football program.
Go Illini

Ander1345 · Jan 29, 2024

I mean it sounds like Bret just put the cart before the horse.... no real reason to panic just yet. Maybe he ends up having to take a gamble on a relatively unproven candidate. Sometimes that works out better than expected. He's not trying to "drain the Paign" so to speak... he'll find someone qualified.

Or he doesn't and we just have the proof we needed to know the program is just cursed. Either way, validation!

Illinivek23 · Jan 29, 2024

I can see BB really valuing experienced assistant coaches going forward - in coaching and recruiting. Perhaps why Buh departure doesn't make sense as he had a ton of both.

mhuml32 · Jan 29, 2024

I'm also confused by the Buh firing, but we're starting to take this too far. There isn't a position coach out there that is make-or-break for a head coaching tenure.

DeonThomas · Jan 29, 2024

bluemountain said:
and South Carolina.

South Carolina -- (1) #29 recruiting class in 2024, per Rivals, (2) 1 Five Star and 9 Four Stars in that class, and (3) sell-outs at every home game with Clemson-like tailgating. Fans/alumni are rabid!!

mhuml32 · Jan 29, 2024

Illinivek23 said:
I can see BB really valuing experienced assistant coaches going forward - in coaching and recruiting. Perhaps why Buh departure doesn't make sense as he had a ton of both.

There are (a) volume guys and (b) right time, right place guys. Buh is the latter. They knew the position (LB) and location (NJ) that was his sweet spot. He isn't putting up big numbers but was likely able to secure 2-3 guys/year. Bielema seems to prefer his position coaches to be like this - no one is expected to carry a heavy load but you need to hit your mark when it's your turn. It diversifies the staff but also mean you don't have a star recruiter.

Personally, I would like the new LB coach to be someone with significant recruiting chops that has the potential to be more of a star. Gibbs' hire seems like a response to have two very young coaches in the secondary and needing more experience. If you can get someone who is younger, State of Illinois ties, and strong recruiting acumen, that seems optimal.

JucoIllini10 · Jan 29, 2024

mhuml32 said:
I'm also confused by the Buh firing, but we're starting to take this too far. There isn't a position coach out there that is make-or-break for a head coaching tenure.

I agree that a failed position coach hire is not make-or-break but it can be a sign of a program heading in the wrong direction...

Example: Lovie Smith hiring Miles as LB coach and Bob McClain as OL coach

Joel Goodson · Jan 29, 2024

mhuml32 said:
There are (a) volume guys and (b) right time, right place guys. Buh is the latter. They knew the position (LB) and location (NJ) that was his sweet spot. He isn't putting up big numbers but was likely able to secure 2-3 guys/year. Bielema seems to prefer his position coaches to be like this - no one is expected to carry a heavy load but you need to hit your mark when it's your turn. It diversifies the staff but also mean you don't have a star recruiter.

Personally, I would like the new LB coach to be someone with significant recruiting chops that has the potential to be more of a star. Gibbs' hire seems like a response to have two very young coaches in the secondary and needing more experience. If you can get someone who is younger, State of Illinois ties, and strong recruiting acumen, that seems optimal.

yeah, this is the only thing that makes sense. bring in a young buck who is a much better recruiter and is ready to grind. FWLIW, Holocek doesn't fit the bill.

bluemountain · Jan 29, 2024

DeonThomas said:
South Carolina -- (1) #29 recruiting class in 2024, per Rivals, (2) 1 Five Star and 9 Four Stars in that class, and (3) sell-outs at every home game with Clemson-like tailgating. Fans/alumni are rabid!!

Oh I know, I go to a bunch of their games. But 1) they will always play second fiddle to Clemson in SC, 2) outside of the a 5 year period under Spurrier they have always been a roughly .500 program - certainly not competitive with Wisky, Iowa, Oregon, etc

Indy Illini Fan · Jan 29, 2024

mhuml32 said:
I'm also confused by the Buh firing, but we're starting to take this too far. There isn't a position coach out there that is make-or-break for a head coaching tenure.

You’re right … 1 position coach is not make or break …

But when you fire Buh … Have McDonald leave … Have 2 more assistants that are actively looking and interviewing at other programs … And another assistant who is telling people he is open to the right move …

It’s cause for concern … And losing them all (which I’m not saying is happening, but it’s on the table depending how the chips fall) …

Could define the tenure … IMO …

redwingillini11 · Jan 29, 2024

illini0440 said:
Yes and no. Bret hasn’t had his best week ever as HC here with some stuff behind the scenes

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