Illini Women's Basketball Coaching Search

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#3      
Hopefully the AD will put some effort in finding the new coach and not just hire somebody. I get the sense that Whitman cares about MBB and FB, maybe golf. His hire in WVB has been okay, but I was hoping that the Illini women would be conference contenders by now.
 
#4      
I'm hoping Whitman shoots for the stars w/ this next hire. I get it: women's hoops isn't a huge profit-maker for the DIA. But I can't help but think getting them at least relevant again does nothing but help the men's program. Imagine if Whitman could land someone like Candace Parker. I know, I know. Quit dreaming! But she's a Chicago native that was beloved for coming home and bringing a 'ship to her hometown. It would be fun to see the reception she'd get in Champaign, especially if she can turn this moribund program around.
 
#5      
I'm hoping Whitman shoots for the stars w/ this next hire. I get it: women's hoops isn't a huge profit-maker for the DIA. But I can't help but think getting them at least relevant again does nothing but help the men's program. Imagine if Whitman could land someone like Candace Parker. I know, I know. Quit dreaming! But she's a Chicago native that was beloved for coming home and bringing a 'ship to her hometown. It would be fun to see the reception she'd get in Champaign, especially if she can turn this moribund program around.
GCUs head coach?
 
#9      
Either Carol Owens or Molly Miller would be terrific. They need someone to inject some defensive intensity. It’s going to take some money and persuasion.
 
#10      
GCUs head coach?
Yep, I think it's gonna be her after reading this Illini Guys' article:
https://illiniguys.com/illini-women...coach-after-nancy-fahey-announces-retirement/

"One candidate name expected to emerge throughout Whitman’s search process is Grand Canyon head coach Molly Miller. Miller has produced an overall record of 38-15 in two seasons at GCU and will be the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Western Athletic Conference Tournament starting Tuesday. Miller holds the highest career winning percentage (.892) of any NCAA men's or women's basketball coach at the Division I, II or III levels with at least five years of experience. The two-time Division II Coach of the Year ended her tenure at her alma mater, Drury University, with the D-II national runner-up finish in 2019 and an undefeated, top-ranked 2020 team when the national tournament was canceled because of COVID-19. Whitman’s wife, Hope, is also a former Drury basketball teammate with Miller, a fellow Drury University Hall of Fame recipient as well as Miller and has remained close friends with Miller to this day."
 
#11      
Yep, I think it's gonna be her after reading this Illini Guys' article:
https://illiniguys.com/illini-women...coach-after-nancy-fahey-announces-retirement/

"One candidate name expected to emerge throughout Whitman’s search process is Grand Canyon head coach Molly Miller. Miller has produced an overall record of 38-15 in two seasons at GCU and will be the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Western Athletic Conference Tournament starting Tuesday. Miller holds the highest career winning percentage (.892) of any NCAA men's or women's basketball coach at the Division I, II or III levels with at least five years of experience. The two-time Division II Coach of the Year ended her tenure at her alma mater, Drury University, with the D-II national runner-up finish in 2019 and an undefeated, top-ranked 2020 team when the national tournament was canceled because of COVID-19. Whitman’s wife, Hope, is also a former Drury basketball teammate with Miller, a fellow Drury University Hall of Fame recipient as well as Miller and has remained close friends with Miller to this day."
I wasn't talking about anything to do with her coaching ability.....even though that looks good too.
 
#13      
Really clear UI must make sure the Whitman kids and Tamas kids attend UI.
 
#14      

ilphotog

The camera never lies
Champaign
I'm a fan of Molly Miller, I think I mentioned her a year or so ago. For those who didn't know, she was the coach of Drury a Division II school. They came in and beat Illinois in a exhibition game 4-5 years ago. I was shooting the game, not expecting anything but an Illini blowout. Drury schooled Illinois that day, they were well disciplined, took care of the ball, made very few bad passes. Worked the ball around with crisp on target passes, took high percentage shots and boxed out well. In short they appeared to be a very well coached team, strong on fundamentals. It will be a big turn around job for anyone, I would prefer a younger coach with some experience as a head coach. Molly has had my vote since that game or at least to keep her on the radar for future options.
 
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#15      
Classy move by Fahey to retire. She may or may not have been given a choice, we'll never know. Great career at Wash U but it's rare for someone to step up from future doctors, engineers and medical researchers at a D3 school to athletes at the highest levels of D1. She failed and failed big. It was time to go.

Having said that best of everything to her in the next phase of her life.
 
#16      
Classy move by Fahey to retire. She may or may not have been given a choice, we'll never know. Great career at Wash U but it's rare for someone to step up from future doctors, engineers and medical researchers at a D3 school to athletes at the highest levels of D1. She failed and failed big. It was time to go.

Having said that best of everything to her in the next phase of her life.
Yeah it wasn’t really a retirement but her and Josh are close so they went with retirement instead of fired
 
#17      
I talked to Josh about hiring Drake's Wbb coach now Oklahoma's wbb coach last time around. My suggestion is now Missouri St. Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.
 
#19      

POWURR

From Downtown
Fresh start

Happy If You Say So GIF
 
#20      
Her contract ran through 2024-25. Wouldn't she be better off getting fired?
 
#21      

Noblesville Illini

Nappanee, IN
Yep, I think it's gonna be her after reading this Illini Guys' article:
https://illiniguys.com/illini-women...coach-after-nancy-fahey-announces-retirement/

"One candidate name expected to emerge throughout Whitman’s search process is Grand Canyon head coach Molly Miller. Miller has produced an overall record of 38-15 in two seasons at GCU and will be the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Western Athletic Conference Tournament starting Tuesday. Miller holds the highest career winning percentage (.892) of any NCAA men's or women's basketball coach at the Division I, II or III levels with at least five years of experience. The two-time Division II Coach of the Year ended her tenure at her alma mater, Drury University, with the D-II national runner-up finish in 2019 and an undefeated, top-ranked 2020 team when the national tournament was canceled because of COVID-19. Whitman’s wife, Hope, is also a former Drury basketball teammate with Miller, a fellow Drury University Hall of Fame recipient as well as Miller and has remained close friends with Miller to this day."
Not to mention the Colangelo/ GCU / UI triangle. Book it, Dano!
Book It Conor Mckenna GIF by FoilArmsandHog
 
#22      
Next coach needs a head coaching background. This isn’t a “learn on the job” program. It’s a long climb out. And give me someone that has already rebuilt a program or two in his/her career. This is a total rebuild. Miller and Agugua-Hamilton both took over championship levels teams. It’s a different challenge. Same with Bart Brooks. When he left DePaul for Belmont, Belmont was a championship program.
 
#23      
Next coach needs a head coaching background. This isn’t a “learn on the job” program. It’s a long climb out. And give me someone that has already rebuilt a program or two in his/her career. This is a total rebuild. Miller and Agugua-Hamilton both took over championship levels teams. It’s a different challenge. Same with Bart Brooks. When he left DePaul for Belmont, Belmont was a championship program.
So you want a program builder and a current/former HC. We had bollant but he didn't build green bay up just his previous lower stops. I think it's an accomplishment to keep a program going at the same if not higher level also. Both the coaches suggested so far can wait and pick their opportunity. I just know Agugua-Hamilton has Big 10 ties, 6 years as an assistant at MSU. Then continuing success and taking them farther than Harper did at MOST. Along with that I assume her recruiting area wouldn't change that much.
 
#24      
So you want a program builder and a current/former HC. We had bollant but he didn't build green bay up just his previous lower stops. I think it's an accomplishment to keep a program going at the same if not higher level also. Both the coaches suggested so far can wait and pick their opportunity. I just know Agugua-Hamilton has Big 10 ties, 6 years as an assistant at MSU. Then continuing success and taking them farther than Harper did at MOST. Along with that I assume her recruiting area wouldn't change that much.
I follow the Valley pretty well. More on the mens side, but follow the women too. Agugua Hamilton is still winning with almost all of Harpers players. I don’t think we know enough about her recruits yet. If we go the route of the valley I think Gillespie at ISU could be a fit. Turned them from last in the Valley before she got there to top third of the valley in recent years. I was at the game 2 years ago when they destroyed us by 20. They had more talent than we did. She has coached in the state for over a decade. Strong recruiting ties.

I would also take Tonya Warren at UNI in a heartbeat over Agugua Hamilton. She hasn’t had a losing record in the Valley in over a decade.
 
#25      
Complete and total faith in JW on this next hire. Besides the close friendship with Josh's wife, GCU coach seems to fit who he hires. Whitman hires coaches who have track records of winning. Fahey's success at Wash U. Lovie's NFL/Super Bowl Success. BB's success at Wisconsin. Underwood's crazy win/loss record at SFA. GCU coaches win/loss record seems to be exactly the coach he targets.
 
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