Illini Coaching Staff

#801      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
Oklahoma State staffer Joey Biggs following Brad Underwood to Illinois

Biggs spent the previous 13 years at Oklahoma State, 10 as assistant athletic director for Oklahoma State -- a position similar to director of basketball operations at Illinois. He oversaw travel, budget, scheduling, alumni relations and other administrative duties for the basketball program. From 2002-06, he oversaw marketing efforts for the entire Oklahoma State athletic department.
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http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1766958-oklahoma-state-staffer-following-underwood
https://twitter.com/joeybiggs31/status/847258766160437248
 
#802      

illinibballfan

I
illinibballfan
#804      

FatGreg

F
FatGreg
La Lumiere opens tournament play at Dick's Nationals tomorrow at 5pm Central. Game on ESPNU. La Lumiere is ranked #1 in the country.

The Dick's tournament ends Saturday afternoon. The assumption in basketball circles is that Shane Heirman is going to take a college assistant position after La Lu's season ends. DePaul is potentially interested and Illinois may be, as well. Solid possibility that we end up filling one spot on the bench by Monday morning.

Some info on Heirman:
-29 years old
-From McHenry; played basketball at Marian Catholic
-Walked on at Tulsa and ended up earning a scholarship and getting some limited minutes
-Very articulate and engaging! Very. He's going to be a dynamite recruiter - this isn't just a hire to hopefully snag a couple of current La Lu kids. (Even though it's possible that Tugs Bowen - top-15, McDAA wing - follows him.)

Really hope that Underwood takes a chance on Heirman. I think he's a star in the making. He'll be a big time recruiter for 4-6 years and then probably a low/mid-major head coach by the time he's 35 or 36. I predict a rapid ascent. Hopefully it starts in Champaign. #hireheirman

Oh, and a class of Tilmon, Frazier, Da'Monte, Pickett, Mark Smith, and Brian Bowen would be top 3 or 4 in the country.
 
#805      

Deleted member 380722

D
Guest
Deleted member 380722
Isn't mennega of Oregon from Rantoul? Seems like he would entertain revitalizing the Illini program.
 
#806      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
FatGreg said:
The Dick's tournament ends Saturday afternoon. The assumption in basketball circles is that Shane Heirman is going to take a college assistant position after La Lu's season ends. DePaul is potentially interested and Illinois may be, as well. Solid possibility that we end up filling one spot on the bench by Monday morning.

Some info on Heirman:
-29 years old
-From McHenry; played basketball at Marian Catholic
-Walked on at Tulsa and ended up earning a scholarship and getting some limited minutes
-Very articulate and engaging! Very. He's going to be a dynamite recruiter - this isn't just a hire to hopefully snag a couple of current La Lu kids. (Even though it's possible that Tugs Bowen - top-15, McDAA wing - follows him.)

Really hope that Underwood takes a chance on Heirman. I think he's a star in the making. He'll be a big time recruiter for 4-6 years and then probably a low/mid-major head coach by the time he's 35 or 36. I predict a rapid ascent. Hopefully it starts in Champaign. #hireheirman
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Does LaLu have an bigs he might be able to bring with in the spring or next fall?
 
#808      

MrOizo

MrOizo
Chicago
MrOizo
hkillini said:
Anyone here want Coach Frazier, Chester Frazier?
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I would love him on the staff - I think he'd have a real impact in improving one potential weakness area of BU (half court defense). Half court defense is absolutely critical.

Beyond that, he could be a long term program asset.
 
#809      

Illinell

Illinell
'03 IMPE All Star
Bridgeport, Chicago
Illinell
FatGreg said:
La Lumiere opens tournament play at Dick's Nationals tomorrow at 5pm Central. Game on ESPNU. La Lumiere is ranked #1 in the country.

The Dick's tournament ends Saturday afternoon. The assumption in basketball circles is that Shane Heirman is going to take a college assistant position after La Lu's season ends. DePaul is potentially interested and Illinois may be, as well. Solid possibility that we end up filling one spot on the bench by Monday morning.

Some info on Heirman:
-29 years old
-From McHenry; played basketball at Marian Catholic
-Walked on at Tulsa and ended up earning a scholarship and getting some limited minutes
-Very articulate and engaging! Very. He's going to be a dynamite recruiter - this isn't just a hire to hopefully snag a couple of current La Lu kids. (Even though it's possible that Tugs Bowen - top-15, McDAA wing - follows him.)

Really hope that Underwood takes a chance on Heirman. I think he's a star in the making. He'll be a big time recruiter for 4-6 years and then probably a low/mid-major head coach by the time he's 35 or 36. I predict a rapid ascent. Hopefully it starts in Champaign. #hireheirman

Oh, and a class of Tilmon, Frazier, Da'Monte, Pickett, Mark Smith, and Brian Bowen would be top 3 or 4 in the country.
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I'll be at the games. Should be a great time and I'll keep a lookout for Heirman.
 
#810      

Calvin

C
Calvin
Not sure where this belongs --only loosely related to staffing.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2017/03/29/college-basketball-salary-database-rick-pitino-louisville-john-calipari-kentucky/99790844/

Article doesn't really say much other than talks a little about escalating salaries. Pitino and Cal making over $7 mil. Gotta love that Pitino rocks his program with scandal then laughs all the way to the bank. Winning trumps everything.

The thing I found interesting was that the battle between the haves and have-nots has heated up over the years, with the have-nots making inroads. Seems like the pendulum may start to swing the other way.
 
#811      

MrOizo

MrOizo
Chicago
MrOizo
FatGreg said:
After further research, it's just as likely that Stephen Gentry is hired. Gentry was an Assistant Coach at Stephen F. Austin all three years under Underwood and then spent last year as Director of Player Development at Oklahoma State. Before he worked for Underwood, he spent 6 years under Turgeon and Billy Kennedy in various support roles. He played college ball at Gonzaga under Mark Few. Could be a good hire.
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I'd love this guy on the staff.
 
#813      

FatGreg

F
FatGreg
FiveStar said:
Does LaLu have an bigs he might be able to bring with in the spring or next fall?
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Nope. But they have a 2018 kid named Franklin Agunanne who could factor in. 6'9, originally from Nigeria. Played a year in St Louis and a year in Texas - kind of a nomad. Very raw, but long and athletic. Currently #131 composite on 247. Doesn't play much for La Lu and dropped significantly in the rankings (was ranked top-50 as a frosh/soph). Probably not an option here, but worth keeping an eye on.
 
#814      

LafayetteIllinifan4life

L
Lafayette, IN
LafayetteIllinifan4life
Not sure if this is the right place to post this or if it has been discussed but what is Underwood's pt like for freshman in the past? I know he won't have much choice because of the class he has but what are the thoughts or historical evidence? Is he like groce and says players will play then not actually play them til it is too late or does he truly play the best players? Anyone with more knowledge on this would be appreciated
 
#816      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
LafayetteIllinifan4life said:
Not sure if this is the right place to post this or if it has been discussed but what is Underwood's pt like for freshman in the past? I know he won't have much choice because of the class he has but what are the thoughts or historical evidence? Is he like groce and says players will play then not actually play them til it is too late or does he truly play the best players? Anyone with more knowledge on this would be appreciated
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I think every coach plays freshman (or any other player) they perceive as ready. I just think "ready" has different definitions to some coaches.
 
#822      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
Did a little research to help me understand where Underwood is in forming his staff. If Underwood organizes his staff the same way he did at OSU, here are the positions, which are filled (or rumored to be filled), and which are currently open:

bFLIbNu.png


Note: This doesn't include some more administrative positions that are listed as part of our current staff, like Rob Cardinal (Coordinator of Special Projects), Office Administrator, Athletic Trainer, who I would guess will stay (not much to be gained by replacing them).
 
#823      

combes

C
combes
TCTORNADO said:
Groce had 1 impact freshman (Nunn) in 5 years. Not good!!
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Coleman-Lands averaged double figures, was the all time freshman leader in threes at Illinois and one of the top three point shooters in the BT.

Better freshman year than Nunn.
 
#824      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
combes said:
Coleman-Lands averaged double figures, was the all time freshman leader in threes at Illinois and one of the top three point shooters in the BT.

Better freshman year than Nunn.
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Defensive end it's not even close. Coaches thought so too, as they voted Nunn all B1G freshman team. Will put JCL in that impactful category, though. Two in 5 years is still not good.
 
#825      

combes

C
combes
DudeIllini said:
JCL's defense is awful.
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I disagree. It was bad his freshman year. He really improved his defense and rebounding this year. If he had shot the ball like he has in the past, he would have had a really good sophomore year.