Illini Coaching Staff

IlliniBone · Mar 21, 2017

2 things that would benefit JWalker and Illini are 1. Illinois losing tomorrow night and 2. Porter decision being drug out. No way Mizzou has the money to pay Walker and Porter and I can about guarantee the Porters wont take a discount with all the attention they are surely receiving this week.

Everyone just needs to relax on the Walker/Tilmon front. All things point to both of them staying, right now its a matter of JW not wanting to announce new assistants while Ford/Parham are still coaching the team. It would not be right/fair to essentially fire them while they are still actively coaching. IMO there is a good chance that Walker has given a "verbal" to Whitman and now all that needs to happen is for Illinois to be bounced from the NIT.

And another things on the Tilmon/Walker front - would we even be batting an eye on Walker if it wasn't for Tilmon. Maybe Underwood doesn't want to keep an assistant for the chance at 1 recruit. Smith isnt all that close to Walker, he would possibly come to Illinois regardless of where Walker winds up. Just trust Whitman and Underwood - if they feel matching a $300k salary for Walker isnt worth their allocations then so be it. Illinois will move on and find an assistant as well regarded as Walker.

IlliniinIowa · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniBone said:
2 things that would benefit JWalker and Illini are 1. Illinois losing tomorrow night and 2. Porter decision being drug out. No way Mizzou has the money to pay Walker and Porter and I can about guarantee the Porters wont take a discount with all the attention they are surely receiving this week.

Everyone just needs to relax on the Walker/Tilmon front. All things point to both of them staying, right now its a matter of JW not wanting to announce new assistants while Ford/Parham are still coaching the team. It would not be right/fair to essentially fire them while they are still actively coaching. IMO there is a good chance that Walker has given a "verbal" to Whitman and now all that needs to happen is for Illinois to be bounced from the NIT.

And another things on the Tilmon/Walker front - would we even be batting an eye on Walker if it wasn't for Tilmon. Maybe Underwood doesn't want to keep an assistant for the chance at 1 recruit. Smith isnt all that close to Walker, he would possibly come to Illinois regardless of where Walker winds up. Just trust Whitman and Underwood - if they feel matching a $300k salary for Walker isnt worth their allocations then so be it. Illinois will move on and find an assistant as well regarded as Walker.

Underwood's weakness is already known to be recruiting, I think not keeping Walker would be a VERY BAD move, and not the kind of start he wants to his Illinois tenure.

I also thought Groce not keeping Howard was a HUGE mistake too. I understood the reasons why Groce cut him loose, but things could have been worked out there. He's good enough for Kansas but not good enough to keep at Illinois?

Hope our new coach doesn't make the EXACT same mistake our last one did....

Second and Chalmers · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniinIowa said:
Underwood's weakness is already known to be recruiting

The Hogwarts Sorting Hat of coaches into House Recruiting and House X's and O's has to be the worst thing about the college basketball internet.

It's like sorting cars into "forward" and "reverse".

mattcoldagelli · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniinIowa said:
[/B]

Underwood's weakness is already known to be recruiting,

Uh, not really. That's how this board, with it's binary view of anyone who works in college basketball (is he an Xs and Os guy or recruiter?) has decided to view it, but it's not really backed up by anything concrete.

Should you look for guys who can shortcut you around having to build networks whole cloth in places like St. Louis or Chicago? Sure, just like you would in pretty much any other job. I'm sure Underwood will strive to do that, and Walker is one of many roads he could choose to go down.

Either way, whether it is Jerrance, or Vic Koenning, or Walker - no one does "Yeah I know we just demanded our coach be fired but please keep as much the same as possible, please" quite like Illinois fans do.

Second and Chalmers · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniinIowa said:
Underwood's weakness is already known to be recruiting, I think not keeping Walker would be a VERY BAD move, and not the kind of start he wants to his Illinois tenure.

There is a BIG difference between "Jamall Walker, ace recruiter" and "Jamall Walker, guy who holds the keys to one specific recruit"

The evidence we have is overwhelmingly the latter.

And by the way, if we want to game theory this out, to the extent Walker is playing hardball here, it's not for money but for years. Walker is no fool. He knows Tilmon is the sole reason he is under any consideration for any of these major conference staffs, and he knows that the day Tilmon enrolls, his leverage in the job dwindles to zero.

A multi-year deal is the big win he is surely hungry for.

EJ33 · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniinIowa said:
[/B]

Underwood's weakness is already known to be recruiting, I think not keeping Walker would be a VERY BAD move, and not the kind of start he wants to his Illinois tenure.

Second and Chalmers said:
The Hogwarts Sorting Hat of coaches into House Recruiting and House X's and O's has to be the worst thing about the college basketball internet.

It's like sorting cars into "forward" and "reverse".

mattcoldagelli said:
Uh, not really. That's how this board, with it's binary view of anyone who works in college basketball (is he an Xs and Os guy or recruiter?) has decided to view it, but it's not really backed up by anything concrete.

Should you look for guys who can shortcut you around having to build networks whole cloth in places like St. Louis or Chicago? Sure, just like you would in pretty much any other job. I'm sure Underwood will strive to do that, and Walker is one of many roads he could choose to go down.

Either way, whether it is Jerrance, or Vic Koenning, or Walker - no one does "Yeah I know we just demanded our coach be fired but please keep as much the same as possible, please" quite like Illinois fans do.

Underwood will recruit well if he wins with his style of play. I think he can do that with good talent, which will then help him get even better players. It's that simple.

illiniguy24 · Mar 21, 2017

Is there a coach out there that can coach X's and O's AND recruit?!?! They said it wasn't possible!

FiveStar · Mar 21, 2017

Obelix said:
While there will be some sensitivity for the departing assistants, that will not be the primary consideration. The primary consideration is the future of Illini basketball. Waiting until NIT is over may seriously jeopardize the recruiting class. It is not that Whitman wanted to be insensitive to Groce and not let him coach at NIT, but he felt it was better for the program to move quickly before NIT. Same should hold true for assistants.

I'd expect some announcements before NIT is over, especially if our run continues past Wednesday.

I hope so.

TMC999 · Mar 21, 2017

mattcoldagelli said:
Uh, not really. That's how this board, with it's binary view of anyone who works in college basketball (is he an Xs and Os guy or recruiter?) has decided to view it, but it's not really backed up by anything concrete.

Should you look for guys who can shortcut you around having to build networks whole cloth in places like St. Louis or Chicago? Sure, just like you would in pretty much any other job. I'm sure Underwood will strive to do that, and Walker is one of many roads he could choose to go down.

Either way, whether it is Jerrance, or Vic Koenning, or Walker - no one does "Yeah I know we just demanded our coach be fired but please keep as much the same as possible, please" quite like Illinois fans do.

I just imagined a basketball on a stick...

Combo · Mar 21, 2017

RichardKeenesHair said:
Yep, and it accentuates how important the existing class is to his time here. This class as currently constructed (plus Smith) IMHO provides Underwood with plenty talent to be very successful over the next 2-4 years. That success would then get the ball rolling for the next group and so on

My thoughts exactly. Success begets success. No time to waste.

MadSeason · Mar 21, 2017

EJ33 said:
Underwood will recruit well if he wins with his style of play. I think he can do that with good talent, which will then help him get even better players. It's that simple.

Winning doesn't always ensure recruiting. Weber won 63 games, 2 conference titles and a Championship game appearance and couldn't capitalize in recruiting.

Some coaches truly are incapable of one half of the recruiter vs X and O guy.

Josh Pastner is the opposite of Weber and sometimes the sorting is completely accurate

Deleted member 3875 · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniinIowa said:
[/B]

Underwood's weakness is already known to be recruiting, I think not keeping Walker would be a VERY BAD move, and not the kind of start he wants to his Illinois tenure.

I also thought Groce not keeping Howard was a HUGE mistake too. I understood the reasons why Groce cut him loose, but things could have been worked out there. He's good enough for Kansas but not good enough to keep at Illinois?

Hope our new coach doesn't make the EXACT same mistake our last one did....

What's your basis for the first sentence?

IlliniTargetAcquired · Mar 21, 2017

UICFLAMES said:
If Tillmon will only come because of Walker, he is not worth coming to ILL for any reason. How in the world is BU supposed to coach a kid who would only really listen to one coach? Walker is a good recruiter, but I would not say 300000 good. Best scenario would be let Walker go, start fresh, and lets get this thing rolling. BU said it, doesnt need 4 and 5 star kids to win, he is already laying the groundwork for it to happen.

The assumption that he won't be coachable is completely unfounded. Players desire to play for coaches they have a good relationship with. If Walker is here, he has someone he feels comfortable with and someone he knows cares about his well-being. That doesn't divorce him from being coachable with the other coaches

t7nich · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniBone said:
2 things that would benefit JWalker and Illini are 1. Illinois losing tomorrow night and 2. Porter decision being drug out. No way Mizzou has the money to pay Walker and Porter and I can about guarantee the Porters wont take a discount with all the attention they are surely receiving this week.

Everyone just needs to relax on the Walker/Tilmon front. All things point to both of them staying, right now its a matter of JW not wanting to announce new assistants while Ford/Parham are still coaching the team. It would not be right/fair to essentially fire them while they are still actively coaching. IMO there is a good chance that Walker has given a "verbal" to Whitman and now all that needs to happen is for Illinois to be bounced from the NIT.

And another things on the Tilmon/Walker front - would we even be batting an eye on Walker if it wasn't for Tilmon. Maybe Underwood doesn't want to keep an assistant for the chance at 1 recruit. Smith isnt all that close to Walker, he would possibly come to Illinois regardless of where Walker winds up. Just trust Whitman and Underwood - if they feel matching a $300k salary for Walker isnt worth their allocations then so be it. Illinois will move on and find an assistant as well regarded as Walker.

Smith and Walker talk daily. He has arguably the closest relationship with Walker of any coaches recruiting him. Our best chance of getting Smith is retaining Walker.

Illwinsagain · Mar 21, 2017

UICFLAMES said:
If Tillmon will only come because of Walker, he is not worth coming to ILL for any reason. How in the world is BU supposed to coach a kid who would only really listen to one coach? Walker is a good recruiter, but I would not say 300000 good. Best scenario would be let Walker go, start fresh, and lets get this thing rolling. BU said it, doesnt need 4 and 5 star kids to win, he is already laying the groundwork for it to happen.

-1000, please stop. It appears you are reading more into this situation than has been revealed.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Mar 21, 2017

UICFLAMES said:
BU said it, doesnt need 4 and 5 star kids to win, he is already laying the groundwork for it to happen.

He didn't say that.

EJ33 · Mar 21, 2017

MadSeason said:
Winning doesn't always ensure recruiting. Weber won 63 games, 2 conference titles and a Championship game appearance and couldn't capitalize in recruiting.

Some coaches truly are incapable of one half of the recruiter vs X and O guy.

Josh Pastner is the opposite of Weber and sometimes the sorting is completely accurate

Straw man...

Notice the second point:

Underwood will recruit well if he wins with his style of play.

Players, coaches, media think he will be successful recruiting because players want to play his style of basketball. He also seems to have a good personality. He's a leader.

Weber's style of play was generally tough to watch after Dee left. That combined with his personality were a negative for recruits. Weber can't recruit because he is Weber.

Ga65 · Mar 21, 2017

IMO Tilmon is critical unless he has another big man he can get next year. The home run hire will be getting fired on this message board if he doesn't make the NCAA next year. Think it is very likely with existing team and recruits. (Freshman may even play quicker as they are not unlearning a system.) If he can do it with 6'7" players in the BIG he is a genius. Does look like Geno is doing it with equivalent size women but not likely in the BIG.

MadSeason · Mar 21, 2017

EJ33 said:
Straw man...

Notice the second point:

Players, coaches, media think he will be successful recruiting because players want to play his style of basketball. He also seems to have a good personality. He's a leader.

Weber's style of play was generally tough to watch after Dee left. That combined with his personality were a negative for recruits. Weber can't recruit because he is Weber.

The style of play in 2004 and 2005 was pretty exciting. They were winning big and playing a fun running brand. Recruits still didn't come. I don't think style of play appeals to recruits as much as being made out here. Factor yes. Dispositive I don't think so or Cuonzo would never get anyone.

Chipatsj23h · Mar 21, 2017

UICFLAMES said:
If Tillmon will only come because of Walker, he is not worth coming to ILL for any reason. How in the world is BU supposed to coach a kid who would only really listen to one coach? Walker is a good recruiter, but I would not say 300000 good. Best scenario would be let Walker go, start fresh, and lets get this thing rolling. BU said it, doesnt need 4 and 5 star kids to win, he is already laying the groundwork for it to happen.

I have to completely disagree with this. As a former athlete that was recruited, I made my decision based off a relationship with an assistant. Not my relationship with the HC. That is the case a lot of the time. You speak to the assistants much more than the head coach. Those relationships are built for years, not just a few months. If Walker leaves, I would completely understand if he decided to open up his recruitment. Sure, he likes the Illini, likes the campus, likes the environment but these are young men giving a 4 year commitment to a school and to a head coach. He doesn't have a lot of time to build a relationship with the head coach, if Walker leaves would he feel confident enough in a coach after say a month to give him a 4 year pledge? I know I certainly would not, and if Walker recruited me and and he left, I feel like I would have to at least entertain other options.

Calvin · Mar 21, 2017

EJ33 said:
Weber's style of play was generally tough to watch after Dee left. That combined with his personality were a negative for recruits. Weber can't recruit because he is Weber.

But it was beautiful to watch with Self's recruits. I think that says a lot about how bad a recruiter Weber is. He landed some elite players, but had a hard time getting elite players that he could motivate and could execute his system. Ultimately, I would argue that Groce was even worse, although they're both bad enough that I would not care to argue the point.

I expect BU to be better at coaching and roster construction simply because the guy has confidence in his system and isn't going to make bad compromises. Whether or not he can make a leap to the level of guys we want is TBD. I could see him being a Bo Ryan type of recruiter. When I say that, I mean a guy that gets what looks like decent talent on paper, but performs above consensus rating. That, and I'm hoping he occasionally gets an elite player.

RichBradIllini · Mar 21, 2017

IlliniinIowa said:
Underwood's weakness is already known to be recruiting

Huh? Where are you getting that?

Second and Chalmers · Mar 21, 2017

RichBradIllini said:
Huh? Where are you getting that?

If you run anything other than iso sets every time down the floor, that means you can't recruit.

If you have a one-and-done player, that means you wouldn't know a grease board from a hole in the ground.

RichBradIllini · Mar 21, 2017

Ga65 said:
IMO Tilmon is critical unless he has another big man he can get next year. The home run hire will be getting fired on this message board if he doesn't make the NCAA next year. Think it is very likely with existing team and recruits. (Freshman may even play quicker as they are not unlearning a system.) If he can do it with 6'7" players in the BIG he is a genius. Does look like Geno is doing it with equivalent size women but not likely in the BIG.

Well, that didn't take long.

Ga65 · Mar 21, 2017

After listening to JW's post game interview I will be amazed if he stays. Only reason he is still here is the players. Loyalty is too strong for him to stay. That said I am still impressed with him and wish he would be offered and accept.

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