I know Mike pretty well. Played a lot of softball against his dad. Talked a lot of basketball with Mike. He has ties to Canadian players that has really helped Oregon. He is not coming to Illinois. Back in the day, he might have, but he has such a good thing going with Oregon/Canadian talent.
Illini Coaching Staff
I know Mike pretty well. Played a lot of softball against his dad. Talked a lot of basketball with Mike. He has ties to Canadian players that has really helped Oregon. He is not coming to Illinois. Back in the day, he might have, but he has such a good thing going with Oregon/Canadian talent.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
While we're playing the conjecture game, why do we think there hasn't been an official announcement that we're keeping Walker (unless I missed it)? Is it possible the #1 spot is his for now, but he has agreed to give it up if certain candidates are interested in jumping on board? Are we waiting until we can announce that all three positions are filled? Some other plausible explanation? Don't know much about how this process works, and looking for some insight. Thanks.
NEIlliniFan
- No longer in New England
When UI didn't immediately announce Walker's retention, I figured it was because they were announcing the entire staff at once
I guess I kind of assumed they would wait for the full week posting time. No reason to break that policy for an assistant coach. Maybe they announce Walker today or just wait until the entire staff is filled?
That's all the more reason to make a push to get him here at Illinois. We'd hate for that Canadian pipeline that Ford opened up for us to go to waste.
I sure hope not. That would be a weak move on Jamall's part.
Eugene vs Champaign, both for the assistant and the Canuck recruits = a pretty hard sell IMO
What a coup that would be.
If you are talking about assistant coaches, I definitely disagree. Good recruiters are harder to find and much more difficult to entice. Especially for someone like Underwood, who has a reputation as a strong X/O guy, it is important to surround himself with strong recruiters on his staff.
Deleted member 8213
D
Guest
I have no idea who the assistant coaches will be, but if something was brewing and they didn't want it made public yet, then following each other on twitter would seem to be the last thing either of them would do.
Oh I agree. You would think neither side would want that info out. Just saying, if you're going to have the highest assistant salary pool in the conference, makes sense to shoot for one of the top assistants in the country, who happens to be a Chicago native.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
How common is it for head coaches to pick a #1 assistant they have never worked with before, and who has no experience teaching their offensive or defensive system? Maybe it is very common, but that would strike me as strange. I like Walker, and I think he brings a lot to the coaching staff, but I'm not convinced Underwood would automatically make him the #1. :noidea:
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
My wife is an FSU alumnus, I am really tired of them having a better basketball program. And she doesn't even care. Now, if somehow we passed them in football, she would go nuts.
Good question. I honestly don't know that much about a basketball coaching staff. I'm guessing it could be more of a "title and salary only" type of move. Like in football promoting someone to Co-Coordinator or Assistant HC just to give a nicer title and higher salary.
Yes- and if he would like to be involved, I think that'd be great. He's in my top 5 favorite Illini ever. So good..so dominant and so underrated.
Don't see it happening. I don't think he's jumping ship on Weber. And I don't know how good the fit would be. Personally, I am scarred from the game I went to watch at Purdue where Illinois got killed and they left Chet completely open to shoot every play..like they actually backed off...invited him to shoot...like no one literally within 5-10 feet from him. And the strategy worked. So painful to watch. Most excruciating game I've ever attended.
Along the lines of former players for Underwood's staff, i would be delighted if at some point Walkup was able to come in and spend some time with our guys. I am not in any way advocating for an assistant spot, but if there were a non-coaching spot (a la Dee) where he could be around the program, i'd be glad to 'adopt' him.
He could teach our guys so much. I think Brian Cook might be more of a fit for that spot if he wanted it though.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
FightingIllini.com still has Walker, Ford and Parnham listed as assistant coaches along with Brad Underwood as head coach.
If their jobs have been posted, then most likely they are done or a specific end date has been set in the very near future. Typically you aren't supposed to post someone's job while they are still in employment unless they are taking an internal promotion...
Short answer: No. Long answer: Nope.
Since they have their own contracts, I suppose it is possible they are technically still employed. If the jobs are posted, I suspect that some arrangements have been made regarding termination.