Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
Well said.
Illini Coaching Staff
Well said.
Deleted member 10676
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Sounds like it's pretty much up to Underwood at this point.
Just to add on Gates, he was a Larry Butler guy in AAU playing for the Illinois Warriors. Very active, I have seen him at multiple events. Presents himself well, connected beyond the state. Of course, he is one of those guys who is right on the cusp of getting HC job (like Jerrance). So not sure if the wants to leave Florida State. But he may view it as an opportunity to get a few visible hits in Chicago/Illinois and Leornard Hamiton/FSU is not exactly KU/Self. So not to temper the enthusiasm, but I think it would be extremely hard to get Gates. He would definitely need a position as Associate head coach, or whatever, but still... no an easy get.
Now if we do get Gates, that would be a great move to cozy up to the HS/AAU programs in the state. You always get the criticism of not hiring one of them, etc. and I believe they would indeed view Gates as one of them.
Now if we do get Gates, that would be a great move to cozy up to the HS/AAU programs in the state. You always get the criticism of not hiring one of them, etc. and I believe they would indeed view Gates as one of them.
Not sure what his bonuses are but Gates base is about $236k at FSU. Also for the recruiting successes they haven't exactly had the team success you would expect. He could see coming to UI as a way to get closer to a HC job. Probably could get a decent raise and be closer to home as well.
ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
I think Leonard Hamilton is going to be on the hot seat soon at FSU. Gates could see this move as more stable, along with all the other positives that have been mentioned.
That might be the best thing Rob has ever written. Scrolled up to see the writer as was a bit surprised.
We are on lower end of Big 10 regarding Assistant's salaries. They may have gone up a bit, but all three were in the $185,000 range. There is quite a bit of room to add more.
Or we could just get real serious and offer Gates a Kenny Payne 3 year 2.1 million contract.
I don't think we will go that far but we have plenty of room to increase payroll there
Read the article below..he compares sex and basketball...very Rob esque..
Hamilton has been there forever and just had one of his best seasons. He will lose a lot off of this team but his seat is not hot. If anything, people might start to wonder when he might retire.
Reading up on Underwood's staff at OSU, it sounds like both Lamont Evans and Mike Boynton are regarded as very good recruiters. Evans is older and more established, but Boynton has been on Underwood's staff the entire time he's been a D1 head coach.
I'm hoping for a staff of Dennis Gates, Jamall Walker, and Mike Boynton (or Evans - no real preference). Great recruiting staff!
I'm hoping for a staff of Dennis Gates, Jamall Walker, and Mike Boynton (or Evans - no real preference). Great recruiting staff!
I know its not the really the national standard, but I agree. I really do think Underwood can hold down the tactics/scheming by himself. The question then becomes who develops the players?
Right. Usually you have the grizzled X&O vet. One, I don't know if that's necessary, and two, I don't see why an assistant can't excel at both functions. Especially a rising star like Dennis Gates. Gates graduated from Cal-Berkeley in 3 years, has a Master's degree, and coaches basketball for a living. I know he's a big time recruiter, but why the heck wouldn't he be able to scout and gameplan? I think people are thinking about it too simplistically; an assistant doesn't have to be a good recruiter OR an asset on the bench. A good assistant will be able to deliver on both ends.
I don't want it to sound as though I'm saying he can't. It's more like, would we want him to if he could spend every spare second recruiting? Though I don't think its the most efficient breakdown, I think its worth considering.
In this scenario, I think it is Boyton. He has the most experience with BU's system and seems to be a solid assistant. Not saying the other two wouldn't contribute quite a bit but that would likely be Boyton's main role; to run practices/individual drills.
Evans is for sure on the staff.
I've said this elsewhere, but coaches are fiercely loyal to their assistants who helped them get where they are. We are lucky that Underwood is open to hiring Walker. The odds of him getting rid of two of his assistants is small, IMO. I would guess a staff of Evans, Walker and Boynton.
I wouldn't be surprised if the third assistant from OSU is offered a job in some capacity unless he has something else.
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Nooo. New coach, new start, and new era for Illini. Snacks would do well to take a HC job and not move laterally to Illinois. Why would he leave Kansas to Illini (or any other school) for the same job?
Why would we offer Gates a huge salary like that and not Walker or Evans or Boynton?
I don't see two openings on the staff, just the one for Walker. I could be wrong. It would be unusual, though.
The legend of Jerrance Howard. He would do well to stay at Kansas which recruits itself. He didn't get much talent at Illinois. Best recruit was probably Abrams.
ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
How soon should we expect the staff to be finalized? Any chance by the presser this afternoon?
Danny Henderson isn't really Underwood's "guy" though. He was added to the staff cause Underwood had an opening and he wanted an inroad to the Texas HS scene, specifically DFW. Hiring Walker for recruiting connections in state is the exact same move.