Coaching Discussion/Carousel

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#501      

Deleted member 746648

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MadIllini4 said:
That’s not really how it works. It’s also not just about elevating talent, it’s building a culture and bringing in recruits that fit your system. This program has a lot of problems to fix before we can continually compete with Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Iowa.
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I think there's something to be said about a coach that can evaluate their roster and develop schemes that work for the talent they have. Jeff brohm and hugh freeze are two guys that come to mind that have done this.

Hugh freeze took a borderline fcs roster at liberty and beat 2 ACC teams and was a blocked FG away from beating a third one. Jeff Brohm took a terrible purdue team and immediately went to a bowl game his first 2 years including destroying a very good ohio state team.

Your correct in saying that we have problems to fix but this roster has the talent to win 7 or 8 games with the right coaching staff.
 
#502      

EthanM

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EthanM
KevinC said:
There are a number of head coaches that have never called plays out there including a couple that have been mentioned on this site for the IL job.
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Point taken, but usually those guys are older and I feel like they're guys with more pedigree. Swinney and Beamer had assistant head coach titles, and Beamer was a ST coordinator for a bit. Just curious - who's been mentioned here for the IL job that hasn't called plays and would be a legitimate candidate?
 
#503      

EthanM

E
EthanM
illini0440 said:
Shane Beamer has never called plays and I really like that hire for SC. That being said he is an elite recruiter and has been around a lot of successful programs and Hc's and been a big part in those HC's being successful.
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He's got the pedigree, and obviously was SC's top choice. But why the heck is he sticking around at OK to close the season? Seems like he should be setting up a staff and recruiting before early signing day.
 
#504      

TGB

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TGB
If JW wants #WeWillWin, he should realize that with are lousy recruiting classes, coach and staff, that will never happen. He took a chance with Lovie, and at the time I was ok with the hire, but it's time to get off the Lovie train.
 
#505      

illini0440

illini0440
illini0440
EthanM said:
He's got the pedigree, and obviously was SC's top choice. But why the heck is he sticking around at OK to close the season? Seems like he should be setting up a staff and recruiting before early signing day.
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I'm sure he is setting up a staff and will be putting together a very good one as well as recruiting for SC. (Much easier to do with all recruiting done via phone right now)
 
#506      

EthanM

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EthanM
EyeoftheIllini said:
ESPN has coaching carousel article that not surprisingly mentions Lovie. I had mentioned a few days ago that I thought if Lovie went it would be a mutual decision between him an JW, which is what the article mentions also. No surprises on potential candidates — article mentions the two MAC coaches and Bielema.
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Hopefully it will be mutual only by letting Lovie save face and walk away with a little pride versus being fired. If JW thinks it's time to move on but doesn't because Lovie doesn't want to retire, then JW should also be let go. He's only got two years left on the contract, they need a resolution this off-season.
 
#507      

jason88cubs

J
jason88cubs
Crazy thing is, if we had hired Dino Babers like a lot wanted we'd probably be in the same spot. He has been awful at Syracuse beside the 10 win season. Take that season out he's 14-33 7-27 in the (much weaker)ACC
 
#508      

KevinC

KevinC
KevinC
jason88cubs said:
Crazy thing is, if we had hired Dino Babers like a lot wanted we'd probably be in the same spot. He has been awful at Syracuse beside the 10 win season. Take that season out he's 14-33 7-27 in the (much weaker)ACC
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You are comparing apples to oranges. It is an entirely different challenge with Syracuse. Of course, it is only being fair to take out a ten win season.
 
#509      

Deleted member 747671

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Deleted member 747671
The Babers thing is interesting. I believe recruiting had always been a concern with him. Also, he wasn't really a program builder as much as he was more of a program maintainer at EIU and BGSU. Just a quick glance, based on remembering that Sean Lewis was his OC previously, it looks like he has had a significant amount of staff turnover, which is usually not a good sign, especially when it's coming after a breakout season.
 
#510      

jason88cubs

J
jason88cubs
TGB said:
If JW wants #WeWillWin, he should realize that with are lousy recruiting classes, coach and staff, that will never happen. He took a chance with Lovie, and at the time I was ok with the hire, but it's time to get off the Lovie train.
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Agree. I wanted it to succeed and it got alot of people talking/excited but that's all gone. If it wasn't for COVID, we likely would have had about as equal Iowa fans in teh stands Saturday than Illini fans
 
#511      

wma500

wma500
wma500
Something like 70% of Syracuse's defensive starters this year are freshman/underclassmen. NBC had a graphic on that against ND Saturday. That's like 3rd highest % in the country. I don't know Syracuse football well enough to know what's going on, but I found that stat interesting. Sort of like Lovie's 2017/2018. Syracuse was not a very good football team this year, but my read is that Dino feels comfortable in his job to start that many underclassmen on one side of the ball. Will be interesting to see how that plays out.
 
#512      

wma500

wma500
wma500
jason88cubs said:
Crazy thing is, if we had hired Dino Babers like a lot wanted we'd probably be in the same spot. He has been awful at Syracuse beside the 10 win season. Take that season out he's 14-33 7-27 in the (much weaker)ACC
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Around these parts, it's that called a "Beckman"? :D
 
#513      

pvaughn8

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pvaughn8
KevinC said:
You are comparing apples to oranges. It is an entirely different challenge with Syracuse. Of course, it is only being fair to take out a ten win season.
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And I don't think there is a Rutgers equivalent in the ACC (correct me if I'm wrong). That is 4 of Lovie's wins.
 
#514      

chiefini

chiefini
Rockford, Illinois
chiefini
The Sprouting Divot said:
I would be furious if Burt Bielema were to ever become our coach under any circumstances.
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I agree. His players (as well as both of his teams’ fans) HATED him. I want a coach who, like Lovie, has integrity and character and is not abrasive, but who is young enough to go out himself and recruit hard on the recruiting trail and get his future players excited about staying in Illinois. I want a coach who is on an upward trend, who has expertise and is a winner. I want a coach who will hire excellent assistants who know their stuff and can also recruit, giving them control over their positions, and who will listen to their advice. I want a coach who will not show nepotism. I want a coach who appreciates his position, his players, and all of his fans, not just big time donors. I want a coach who will relate to his players, who shows some fire and will get emotional and show enthusiasm, and who will celebrate his players like the IU coach does. Is there someone out there who fits these criteria? Am I asking too much?
 
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#515      

JFGsCoffeeMug

JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
JFGsCoffeeMug
chiefini said:
Am I asking too much?
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Honestly, yes. We are not an attractive program right now. The candidates who would be willing to consider us might not check all of our boxes. I think that's just the reality of the situation we are facing as a fanbase.
 
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#516      

BZuppke

BZuppke
Plainfield
BZuppke
Bielema to me is intriguing. IMO:

Plusses: Lots of recruiting connections, experienced head coach at the power 5 level, deep Big Ten ties (Illinois native, Iowa grad and a Wisconsin coach). He was Barry’s choice as successor (I trust his judgment)

Negatives: Abrasive and not well liked.

That being said, I can deal with abrasive and not well liked if he recruits and wins. I think he would do well here.
 
#517      

pvaughn8

P
pvaughn8
JFGsCoffeeMug said:
Honestly, yes. We are not an attractive program right now. The candidates who would be willing to consider us might not check all of our boxes. I think that's just the reality of the situation we are facing as a fanbase.
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That being said, the new coach doesn't need to check all the boxes for an improved football team.
 
#518      

JJE

JJE
Bethalto, IL
JJE
Personally, I'd like to see a little bit of an out of the box hire. Not crazy like a high school coach, but at least someone who is going to intrigue me enough to see what they can do. I know beggars can't be choosers, but a retread like Bilema would not inspire me at all. We are such a bad program I think someone who is going to try a different approach and scheme is worth trying.
 
#519      

JFGsCoffeeMug

JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
JFGsCoffeeMug
pvaughn8 said:
That being said, the new coach doesn't need to check all the boxes for an improved football team.
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Oh, I totally agree. Also, it's possible that we've gained ground as a program (compared to where we were before) while also losing ground with respect to the rest of the B10. The issues that currently (or still) plague us may take some time to address.
 
#520      

Deleted member 747671

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Deleted member 747671
BZuppke said:
Bielema to me is intriguing. IMO:

Plusses: Lots of recruiting connections, experienced head coach at the power 5 level, deep Big Ten ties (Illinois native, Iowa grad and a Wisconsin coach). He was Barry’s choice as successor (I trust his judgment)

Negatives: Abrasive and not well liked.

That being said, I can deal with abrasive and not well liked if he recruits and wins. I think he would do well here.
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If he's liked by his players, coaches, and recruits, I don't really care who doesn't like him as long as he wins.

*I'm talking about likeability, not any scandals/abuses/etc.
 
#521      

Deleted member 747671

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JJE said:
Personally, I'd like to see a little bit of an out of the box hire. Not crazy like a high school coach, but at least someone who is going to intrigue me enough to see what they can do. I know beggars can't be choosers, but a retread like Bilema would not inspire me at all. We are such a bad program I think someone who is going to try a different approach and scheme is worth trying.
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What do you consider outside the box? Just curious. I'd say Lovie was pretty outside the box.
 
#522      

JJE

JJE
Bethalto, IL
JJE
WINTer said:
What do you consider outside the box? Just curious. I'd say Lovie was pretty outside the box.
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Fair point. I'm thinking a coordinator at a successful program. South Carolina is hiring beamer from OU. I know we've had these discussions before on here, but I just wonder if a really good coordinator who is ready for a shot would be a route we consider.

I really doubt JW is going to gamble much with his next HC, but it seems like we've tried all sorts of things and they haven't worked for the most part. But then who knows how to make this program even moderately successful.
 
#523      

IllinoisOKC

IllinoisOKC
IllinoisOKC
Retreads wont be exciting and Bielema is just an example, im not 100% for or against the guy but I’d assume he’d bring in a better staff than a up and coming g5 coach in our wheel house. Ideally we’d all like a Luke Fickell or Matt Campbell but thats not happening so I’m thinking candidates from the g5 like jamey chadwell, lance leipold, Sean Lewis, maybe(doubt it but maybe) a Billy Napier or p5 cordinator like Graham Harrell or Alex Grinch is guys to look into. That loss to Buffalo for lewis wasnt pretty at all and hes been my favorite coaching canidate.
 
#524      

Deleted member 747671

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Deleted member 747671
JJE said:
Fair point. I'm thinking a coordinator at a successful program. South Carolina is hiring beamer from OU. I know we've had these discussions before on here, but I just wonder if a really good coordinator who is ready for a shot would be a route we consider.

I really doubt JW is going to gamble much with his next HC, but it seems like we've tried all sorts of things and they haven't worked for the most part. But then who knows how to make this program even moderately successful.
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Gotcha. I guess I'd consider a coordinator a pretty normal-ish hire. Maybe not for Illinois specifically, but among coaching hires coordinators definitely get their fair share of jobs. I would definitely check Sarkisian's interest probably before anyone else. Doubtful he'd consider us but he should at least get a call. If this was a year ago, I'd be all about talking to Dave Aranda but he got his break last year with Baylor. There's lots of good coordinators out there.
Monken at UGA has strong ties to the state.
Moorhead at Oregon has HC experience and B1G experience.
I'd be happy with those guys.
 
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