Random thought, but I wonder if this decision on Lovie's status has any bearing with the announcement of a hockey program. I know it was rumored to be announced this summer before COVID changed that
McElwain is an interesting option. He'd be right at home on the south end of campus.What about a guy like Butch Jones? Or Jim McElwain? McElwain can probably hold out for a better job.
Ehhhh wouldn't mind Butch as a like plan C guy. Rumblings out of Tennessee when he was there aren't real positive but he got a ton of talent. Hard pass on McElwain for me. Just don't like the guy lolWhat about a guy like Butch Jones? Or Jim McElwain? McElwain can probably hold out for a better job.
Anyone compared to Matt Foley is a must get - for his motivational skills alone!McElwain is an interesting option. He'd be right at home on the south end of campus.
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2019/05/21/central-michigan-jim-mcelwain-barn/3753740002/
Mostly what I would look at if I was Whitman. I do think he would look at a lot of these guys though. As with the basketball search(albeit easier to sell that job) he did a lot of research and was in contact with a lot of coaches about the job. I have confidence he will do the same if he moves on from Lovie.Long time occasional lurker, first time poster. Will be interesting to see where this goes. Illini0440, are these mostly your opinions or what you think Whitman would be thinking/looking for?
Piggy backing on this....This is a bottom barrel P5 job right now but not an impossible job(see: Indiana).Mostly what I would look at if I was Whitman. I do think he would look at a lot of these guys though. As with the basketball search(albeit easier to sell that job) he did a lot of research and was in contact with a lot of coaches about the job. I have confidence he will do the same if he moves on from Lovie.
Yes. Although I doubt Gus is getting canned.I know it's a big if, but what if a blue blood wants to make a move this year, like Texas or Auburn. Would Herman or Malzahn be worth a call?
In regards to the bolded, it's actually happened before. Bo Schembechler was an assistant at Ohio State for 5 years.Yeah Gus's buyout is ridiculous even for Auburn. I don't know what to think. I still think you have to at least try to get Luke Fickell. He can wait for whatever he wants, but you have to at least try. Really, all the upper tier B1G jobs are relatively stable in terms of coaching. MSU, PSU, OSU have no chance of opening any time soon unless Day goes NFL. For Michigan to take him, they'd have to get rid of Harbaugh AND want to hire a Buckeye. Guess crazier things have happened. Maybe Nebraska if they want to move on from Frost? Kinda leaves Illinois as his surest B1G job. Maybe an SEC job or a wildcard like FSU or Texas? Do you think he'll just wait for the OSU job to open?
I'm still liking this suggestion. If you can bring success to a football wasteland like Buffalo, you can bring success to Illinois, or at the very least, build a program that isn't an embarrassment. I guess my main question would be is can he recruit at this level?I'll throw out the name Lance Leipold from Buffalo. He's been at Buffalo for five full seasons now. His first 3 years were 13-23, his last two were 18-9. Think about that...Buffalo. He's done an outstanding job elevating a program that really had no direction or identity for a long time. Is he a sexy young gun hire? Hardly. Is he a midwestern guy with a notable track record of success? Absolutely. He's 56, just signed an extension w/ Buffalo, but I'd have to believe a buyout could be manageable.
Worth noting Leilpold made the move from D3 Whitewater to Buffalo, at the end of the 2014 season. Pretty big jump from D3 to D1/MAC, which raised some eyebrows, but here we are 5 years later and the guy is flat out getting the job done. They're 2-0 after winning last night against Miami. He also had stops early in his career at Wisconsin and Nebraska. I know he was heavily involved in recruiting at Nebraska, but can't confirm the exact role. Wisconsin native as well.I'm still liking this suggestion. If you can bring success to a football wasteland like Buffalo, you can bring success to Illinois, or at the very least, build a program that isn't an embarrassment. I guess my main question would be is can he recruit at this level?
Miami Ohio but yes Leipold seems like a great candidate and will likely get a call.Worth noting Leilpold made the move from D3 Whitewater to Buffalo, at the end of the 2014 season. Pretty big jump from D3 to D1/MAC, which raised some eyebrows, but here we are 5 years later and the guy is flat out getting the job done. They're 2-0 after winning last night against Miami. He also had stops early in his career at Wisconsin and Nebraska. I know he was heavily involved in recruiting at Nebraska, but can't confirm the exact role. Wisconsin native as well.
Sorry if I missed it, but who is Kendal?I get it. I think they are attainable this cycle at least. U of I wouldn't hire kendal just based on name alone whether fair or unfair to him but man that guy knows offensive football.
Kendal BrilesSorry if I missed it, but who is Kendal?
Missed the boat on LEACH.....Both. They would never sign off on Kiffin or Leach is they even wanted to come here previously even though they don't have a lot of red flags, they care about looking to prim and proper than winning football games.
One final note on Leipold as it relates to Whitman....Josh was AD at Wisconsin LaCrosse from 2010 - 2014, and Leipold was at Whitewater that same period. Good chance they know each in some capacity.Miami Ohio but yes Leipold seems like a great candidate and will likely get a call.
Thankfully, no we did not.Missed the boat on LEACH.....
This strategy worked for basketball so I don't see why it wouldn't work for football. Dabo swinney seems promising, maybe we should give him a call. I'll settle for lincoln Riley though.Well, ILL has tried pro assistant coaches (Valek, Turner), low major head coaches (Blackman, Beckman), former high major head coaches (White, Zook), former pro head coachs (Mackovic (who had coached at Wake Forest before the Chiefs), Smith), and high major assistant coaches (Tepper, Moeller),
By process of elimination, I guess the best option is a current high major head coach because ILL has not tried that option yet.