It's not speculation.
Illini Coaching Staff
It's not speculation.
Great news on Walker. He is a key to our St. Louis area recruiting and that area has a lit of talent coming through over the next couple of years.
I think this point is addressed by BU coming aboard. There still is a necessity for recruiting which appeared to be duplicated by Groce and Walker. I've seen numerous poster note that there should've been some shake up on the staff about 2 or 3 years ago but no one ever specifically questioned what Walker brought to the table.
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Just caught up, VERY relieved to hear the news. Several posts seem to indicate that JW is here for Tilmon and STL area recruiting, and that's. And some have openly said he's a bad coach, just a great recruiter. I think the jury is still out on that one, until we see how well he does with a coach who has an actual system.
Oh, and suck it Laphonso! Counzo, nothing against you personally, but by extension, you must suck it too.
GO ILLINI!
Oh, and suck it Laphonso! Counzo, nothing against you personally, but by extension, you must suck it too.
GO ILLINI!
THIS IS SUPER NEAT!
So excited for the current players on the team, the incoming recruits and for us fans.
This all feels MUCH different than when Groce was hired, I am truly excited about our future. I-L-L!
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ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
If the Porters don't end up at Mizzou, the bloom will be coming off the Cuonzo rose real quick
DanvIllini
Super Lurker
- Danville, IL
Javon Pickett retweeted the dawilliams can't confirm anything tweet... 14 minutes ago.
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Maybe Underwood will hire Michael Porter, Sr and bring in his sons. I would laugh at Missouri fans for the rest of time.
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GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Losing Walker is a significant blow to Mizzwho and Martin. The Porters are short term, Walker may be our next Jimmy Collins in the St. Louis area. Everyone knew Cuonzo was gunning for Walker, and he came up short. Illinois is relevant again in terms of our commitment and our coach, and I think, beginning next year, we will be relevant again on the court.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I really had faith that this would be the result. I didn't use to have confidence in things like this. JW is bringing us back to credibility!
Plausible best case staff scenario:
Assistant Coaches: Jamall Walker, Dennis Gates, Lamont Evans (or Mike Boynton, though I'm guessing it will be both Evans and Boynton with no Gates)
Special Assistant to the Head Coach: Shane Heirman
Director of Basketball Operations: ?
Video Coordinator: ?
Strength Coach: Adam Fletcher?
Assistant Coaches: Jamall Walker, Dennis Gates, Lamont Evans (or Mike Boynton, though I'm guessing it will be both Evans and Boynton with no Gates)
Special Assistant to the Head Coach: Shane Heirman
Director of Basketball Operations: ?
Video Coordinator: ?
Strength Coach: Adam Fletcher?
illiniCA
- DC Area
Just caught up! Assuming walker keeps this class together it's a huge deal. I ultimately think winning leads to easier recruiting and keeping the class together reduces the amount of time it takes to win games. That's why I think walker is a big deal for the long term......... as long as WE WIN
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Heirman will either be a coach or will not be on the staff. He can only be an assistant if Tilmon or any LaLu player is on the team for 2 years.
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Heirman has to be an assistant if he's coming.
ThisX1000. Anybody trying to throw a wet blanket on everyone's excitement overWalker is viewing this simply wrong imo. Walker has already proven to be a great recruiter without any real on court success to stand on. If he can keep this class together we all believe they will win big with BU coaching them. Especially if Smith is added. That will lead to even better recruiting with Walker. There will be more Tilmons. The wells where Walker is tied in aren't drying up any time soon.
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Doh! Forgot about that.
Walker helps make us be competitive is St. Louis region but I don't think he will dominate St. Louis area recruiting. I'm almost certain he won't rise to the level of Jimmy Collins who had about a 6 year run of dominance which has never been matched in Chicago.
Haring should be DOBO
James Haring, the present Director of Basketball Operations, should be retained as he does a fantastic job. He is very organized and the road trips go off without a hitch. Watch him on the bench and he's the guy that keeps the staff updated on every player's foul situation, time outs remaining, etc. He worked under Huggins previously and lives and breathes basketball. I'm guessing both Jamall and JW will give him a glowing recommendation to Coach Underwood. That particular job requires a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work with air and bus charter companies, hotel management, pre and post game meal providers, keeping the managers organized and every other issue that can go wrong whether the team is on the road or at home. I also agree that keeping Fletcher would be huge for the team. Will be interesting to see how many OSUstaff come along with Coach Underwood.
James Haring, the present Director of Basketball Operations, should be retained as he does a fantastic job. He is very organized and the road trips go off without a hitch. Watch him on the bench and he's the guy that keeps the staff updated on every player's foul situation, time outs remaining, etc. He worked under Huggins previously and lives and breathes basketball. I'm guessing both Jamall and JW will give him a glowing recommendation to Coach Underwood. That particular job requires a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work with air and bus charter companies, hotel management, pre and post game meal providers, keeping the managers organized and every other issue that can go wrong whether the team is on the road or at home. I also agree that keeping Fletcher would be huge for the team. Will be interesting to see how many OSUstaff come along with Coach Underwood.
Tony Yates before Jimmy had just as good a run. Levi Cobb, Eddie Johnson, Efrem Winters, Ken Norman, etc.
Yates/Collins were back to back Successes in Chicago recruiting.
Not forgetting Tony because he was a tremendous recruiter who got the ball really rolling. I was more referencing the years where Hamilton, Anderson, Liberty, Deon even Jamie Brandon and likely Ben Wilson.
Every top Chicago player was going here before the Bruce Pearl fiasco. Hamilton and Liberty being #1 overall in some publications. Anderson was a top 10 recruit and Deon likely top 25.
Wilson well he was easily #1 overall and I believe he would have played here as well.
Jimmy was great. I guess my point is that Tony broke into the Chicago recruiting. Cobb was the breakthrough. The inroads by Yates gave Jimmy a big head start.
Lou benefited.