It's Illinois football. It makes a lot of sense
Illinois Coaching Staff Search
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It's Illinois football. It makes a lot of sense
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
The casual observer doesn't put any weight on the fact that Lovie hasn't announced a hire yet, because the casual observer is watching basketball, hockey, and the NFL playoffs.
No not really. There isn't some mystical cloud hanging over Illini Football just like there wasn't a Billy Goat cursing the Cubs. Too many bad decisions made by bad leaders have left us a moribund program.
If Whitman and Lovie are the quality leaders we think they are, there is no reason not to be optimistic about the choice of assistants.
Anyone following the coaching search on The Deuce? It seems like some staff announcements are coming on Monday. Some posts make it seem like some information is leaking; however, I cannot find any rumors.
Deleted member 654622
D
Guest
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsport...me-northwestern-assistant-as-new-pitt-dc/amp/
Just as a reference to other national programs. Pitt just hired their D coordinator....it's OK everyone
Just as a reference to other national programs. Pitt just hired their D coordinator....it's OK everyone
sbillini
- st petersburg, fl
I don't see what the big deal is. We have virtually zero information on what's going on behind the scenes but are trying to make conclusions purely based on the following.
1. It's been a few weeks.
2. There's been no statement made.
For (1), it could be an issue, it could not. There's no reasonable way to assume either way, because we have ZERO information as to why.
For (2), that's very consistent with Lovie's MO. He has never deemed it necessary to release "statements" with no real information in them. I don't see why this round would be any different. For the casual fans - quite frankly I think he'd say "too bad, but you're just gonna have to trust me". For the people that matter (e.g. recruits, HS coaches, etc.), they're typically informed enough to know that this is how he operates, and likely does not change their "perception" of the program.
At the end of the day, speculating on whether we're having issues in the hiring process based on the above two factors is just pointless. And assuming the worst is classic cynicism at its core. I'm not saying there aren't problems, I'm just saying you're putting two and two together when there's zero out there.
I think illinmed’s point is actually pretty clear.
1) we’ve been really bad on the field for a really long time.
2) we’ve been bad organizationally for a really long time.
Nationally people know at least part one, and if they don’t know part two it’s an easy assumption based on part one. Even if we’ve got this stuff locked down, it makes it easy for people to point back to those two things, right or wrong, to create a narrative about us under Lovie. We understand Lovies MO and the fact that this is a slow build. Others don’t, can say all the bad stuff, and refer back to the 2 points above as support for their opinion, right or wrong.
I don’t agree with everything he says but is really not hard to see the point he’s trying to make.
1) we’ve been really bad on the field for a really long time.
2) we’ve been bad organizationally for a really long time.
Nationally people know at least part one, and if they don’t know part two it’s an easy assumption based on part one. Even if we’ve got this stuff locked down, it makes it easy for people to point back to those two things, right or wrong, to create a narrative about us under Lovie. We understand Lovies MO and the fact that this is a slow build. Others don’t, can say all the bad stuff, and refer back to the 2 points above as support for their opinion, right or wrong.
I don’t agree with everything he says but is really not hard to see the point he’s trying to make.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Well summarized. Appreciate the good thoughts.
What I would respond to that train of thought is "so what?"
This matters to recruits. You just made a good statement, which I consider to be too sophisticated for most 17/18 year olds. So it doesn't concern me.
Im Probably wrong, but that was my instant take.
sbillini
- st petersburg, fl
I get that, but I just think we're way over-analyzing stuff based on the information we have. Your two points above are totally valid. But that was true before this search and will continue be true after until we start winning. How long the search takes and what "statements" are made is largely irrelevant, IMO cuz of the two reasons I stated. And my point is that, to those that matter, it's likely to be irrelevant to them.
Bottom line - who the hires are will be the ultimate driver of perception and all this is speculation until then is moot given we have zero information.
Now if this was proceeding like the John Groce or Tennessee football hire, than that we would be a different story. Those were actual datapoints to indicate there were issues. But it isn't that, so I think we're over-thinking this.
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I agree, it's easy to see the train of thought. The thing is, we are so irrelevant who is taking the time to think about us that closely besides ruminating Illini diehards like us?
If there was news left and right we were whiffing on candidate after candidate that would be one thing. But with the absolute silence there has been now one else is even giving us a second thought.
You just made the point I’m trying to make. It’s the coaches job to control the narrative and right now he is not which has lead to “speculating on whether we're having issues in the hiring process based on the above two factors is just pointless. And assuming the worst is classic cynicism at its core. I'm not saying there aren't problems, I'm just saying you're putting two and two together when there's zero out there.”
I’ll reiterate the point that I have full faith in Lovie and I’m not criticizing him for not hiring anyone to this point. I’m criticizing him because of how it’s been handled and how they gave allowed speculation to take hold and not have full control of the situation. You’re trying to fill the stadium and this is just another “kick” in the face to fans who don’t follow the team closely. That’s all I’m trying to say.
sbillini
- st petersburg, fl
....except the only people doing the speculation is over-analyzing fans like us based on information that doesn't exist...and our opinion is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. That's my point.
Ding ding! The fact that we are on a site with the more avid Illini fans and about 2 posters are showing any concern, tells you all you need to know! There is not that much concern in the fan base at large and definitely not outside the fan base because nobody is really paying any attention. At this point the broader concerns are limited to the fall!
Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
So, the problem isn’t that there’s any real impact on the program. The problem is impatient fans will demand that they get what they want when they want it, and if they don’t then they will make sure they let everyone know that the 60 year old coach who has spent his entire life in football has no idea how to hire an assistant. And the alum AD who played football at Illinois? Clueless.
It’s not really this so-called “casual observer,” it’s actually the extremely vested observer who is going to whine and complain at every step. I don’t blame you. Illini football stinks and there’s little reason for optimism. But call a spade a spade. There are plenty of reasons to criticize. No need to make up reasons.
It’s not really this so-called “casual observer,” it’s actually the extremely vested observer who is going to whine and complain at every step. I don’t blame you. Illini football stinks and there’s little reason for optimism. But call a spade a spade. There are plenty of reasons to criticize. No need to make up reasons.
So, as someone who is currently not subscribed to a pay site. I also have heard no rumors. I looked at flight tracker and see Lexington Kentucky traffic. This guy coached at Illinois. Any chance he is on our radar? Says his contract is up, but he is returning. But I suppose that could have changed.
http://www.ukathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=324
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...eve-clinkscale-return-2018-season/1026555001/
Former co-DC at Cincinnati, former Illinois coach. Recruits Michigan and is from Ohio.
http://www.ukathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=324
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...eve-clinkscale-return-2018-season/1026555001/
Former co-DC at Cincinnati, former Illinois coach. Recruits Michigan and is from Ohio.
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
There is no 'narrative' outside the one in your own head. So there is nothing to control. Lovie doesn't care what IlliniMed thinks. If you think people outside of Illini fans are speculating rampantly (and they aren't really except for a select few
), post some links. I see zero evidence anything in the hiring process is 'out of control'. The stadium will not be full for many many years, and certainly won't fill up if Lovie gives us all a step-by-step update on his hiring process that you seem to think is so important. Ain't gonna happen, even if you post another half dozen remarks about how dissatisfied you are with Lovie not telling you what he's doing. Chill man! Go get some beer, kick back and watch the playoff games today. We'll probably know everything there is to know about our new hires this week. And you'll probably realize you got all worked up about nothing.:thumb:
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
Seems to be a decent recruiter and has coached at schools with success. I'm in! :thumb:
Top knotch twitter sleuthing! :thumb:
Thanks. Usually with these guys if there is smoke, there is fire. Doesn't make it a done deal, just thought it was worth bringing up
This would be such an epically great hire. I know he has a checkered past, but he is a hell of a recruiter, and an Illini.
BTW, to IlliniMed - there is no narrative. This is 20 of us, anxiously awaiting news. There isn't a single article written on the subject since the coaches were fired. We aren't headline news on ESPN about how we missed on candidate XYZ. The true measure will be what the pundits say after the coaching search. Honestly, just let the process play out and let's see what happens. So far Whitman and Lovie have given me no indication I should be concerned. We are in very good hands.
Oldtoysrock
- Sarasota, Florida
You have three guys that are NOT out on the recruiting trail, which in my estimation we don’t have the liberty to miss out on with positions yet to fill.
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On Moorehead. It would worry me if he was OC. Has he done that before? Lovie doesn't have the greatest record of good OC's. I would rather have some one more experienced. Other than that he would be great.
Hahaha agreed. Someone before actually said “recruiting is almost over anyways”.
Ummmm. What rock do you live under? They have a few spots remaining this year AND I believe every spot to fill for 2019 and 2020 classes.
Recruiting is never over. So yes having these coaching positions not filled and out recruiting is not ideal. But it’s not the end of the world either.
Actually, I am not sure if all. But at least the last assistant can be on the trail before getting hired. After he is hired he can't. Maybe the others are already out recruiting before it is finalized. I remember that from last set of hires. It is an advantage to have the last assistant recruit before he is limited to campus.
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