Illinois Coaching Staff Search

PackofIllini12 · Jan 17, 2018

TriangleIL said:
I get it guys, Lovie should be holding a press conference every week to update the fans.

Let's be real here, this is revisionist theory at it's finest. McGee was extremely highly thought of when he first arrived. There were questions of how much control he had of the offense at Louisville, but let's be clear. That was considered a HOME RUN hire for us at the time. We pulled an OC from a much higher rated program. McGee was also getting looks from other higher profile programs if I remember correctly (wasn't Oklahoma interested?).

Not everything works out, and clearly McGee needed more weapons for his offense to be successful. Let's hope that Lovie is able to pull another rabbit out of his hat, except this time the OC will be successful with the pieces he has to work with...

Oklahoma wasn't interested, they had just hired Lincoln Riley (and we saw how that worked out).

Also, if we are recalling past events, let's review them accurately. The hire of McGee was questioned, because we have seen the Louisville offense be the same, regardless of who the OC was. Petrino has his dirty fingerprints all over it and we knew that McGee had little to no control over play calling.

Furthermore, I am not saying that Lovie needs a press conference to update us for the search and the lack of new assistances. That would be the definition of pointless. I am just saying the fact they haven't hired anyone yet and given how long the hiring period has been leads me to believe that they have swung and missed several times.

Lake Camelot · Jan 17, 2018

Well, I know forums are for different opinions. I have in the past been on the opposite side where I think people are being overly negative. I feel the most out of the loop with people posting here that I ever have though. I realize Lovie had a huge project and it is a long race to get back. I am not saying this will in itself hurt the program. But if you aren't concerned about the delay on the hire. Or don't think it is a negative then I just don't understand your opinion. I realize that seems to be the majority of the people posting here. I am not saying you are wrong for sure. I just can't see how you feel that way. Especially the ones that think people are idiots for thinking the other. I can be proved I was wrong. But I am not feeling good about this process.

t7nich · Jan 17, 2018

Lake Camelot said:
Well, I know forums are for different opinions. I have in the past been on the opposite side where I think people are being overly negative. I feel the most out of the loop with people posting here that I ever have though. I realize Lovie had a huge project and it is a long race to get back. I am not saying this will in itself hurt the program. But if you aren't concerned about the delay on the hire. Or don't think it is a negative then I just don't understand your opinion. I realize that seems to be the majority of the people posting here. I am not saying you are wrong for sure. I just can't see how you feel that way. Especially the ones that think people are idiots for thinking the other. I can be proved I was wrong. But I am not feeling good about this process.

You're not alone sir.

UofI08 · Jan 17, 2018

Lake Camelot said:
Well, I know forums are for different opinions. I have in the past been on the opposite side where I think people are being overly negative. I feel the most out of the loop with people posting here that I ever have though. I realize Lovie had a huge project and it is a long race to get back. I am not saying this will in itself hurt the program. But if you aren't concerned about the delay on the hire. Or don't think it is a negative then I just don't understand your opinion. I realize that seems to be the majority of the people posting here. I am not saying you are wrong for sure. I just can't see how you feel that way. Especially the ones that think people are idiots for thinking the other. I can be proved I was wrong. But I am not feeling good about this process.

I hear ya. I will say, I still think Lovie will hire a good OC, and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. But to not be concerned that the opening has gone unfilled for a month, and we are currently sending out staffers instead of an OC or qb coach to try to recruit important offensive playmakers, is mindblowing to me.

illiniwil · Jan 17, 2018

while i would typically say "remain calm, there is nothing to react to yet". i am starting to run out of patience and wonder if our candidates are turning us down one by one. The chicken or the egg thing is applicable. It's hard to recruit a QB without an OC and vice versa.

icengineer · Jan 17, 2018

TriangleIL said:
I get it guys, Lovie should be holding a press conference every week to update the fans.

Let's be real here, this is revisionist theory at it's finest. McGee was extremely highly thought of when he first arrived. There were questions of how much control he had of the offense at Louisville, but let's be clear. That was considered a HOME RUN hire for us at the time. We pulled an OC from a much higher rated program. McGee was also getting looks from other higher profile programs if I remember correctly (wasn't Oklahoma interested?).

Not everything works out, and clearly McGee needed more weapons for his offense to be successful. Let's hope that Lovie is able to pull another rabbit out of his hat, except this time the OC will be successful with the pieces he has to work with...

It's hard to know whether McGee was the real deal based on what we saw here. The critical problem for whomever our new OC is going to be is those 'pieces he has to work with'.

Qwiksilvur · Jan 17, 2018

I think that the situation is unfortunate/concerning but not alarming. The two extensions could simply mean we had one candidate who we were speaking with, and at the cusp took another job. The same for the second one. So, as an example (and this is probably not reality), but lets say we were talking with Sumlin, and then that Arizona job opens up for him. And then we were talking to Canada, but Alabama comes calling with significantly more money. So now we move to number three and, as long as it doesn't end up being someone who doesn't recruit (Example: Ron Turner), is a terrible human being (Example: Art Briles), or is a bad coach (whatever that cluster we used in Beckman's first year), then we'll be okay.

icengineer · Jan 17, 2018

Qwiksilvur said:
I think that the situation is unfortunate/concerning but not alarming. The two extensions could simply mean we had one candidate who we were speaking with, and at the cusp took another job. The same for the second one. So, as an example (and this is probably not reality), but lets say we were talking with Sumlin, and then that Arizona job opens up for him. And then we were talking to Canada, but Alabama comes calling with significantly more money. So now we move to number three and, as long as it doesn't end up being someone who doesn't recruit (Example: Ron Turner), is a terrible human being (Example: Art Briles), or is a bad coach (whatever that cluster we used in Beckman's first year), then we'll be okay.

HEY! A voice of reason amongst the madness! Have a nice day!

BMo79 · Jan 17, 2018

Who's to say we don't already have 1 or 2 of the spots filled. but Lovie being Lovie wants to get all 2 filled to only have to do a presser once , and not 2 or 3 of them ? ? ? No one knows what is really going on not even the guys who pay to get info so they can post it and get paid for knowing stuff

UI2009 · Jan 17, 2018

I've stayed pretty much on the "I don't know what to think" train regarding this long process. But at this point I am actually quite impressed. Do you know how impossible it is for a staff to go about this this long without one minor, tiny leak, or anything else that would lead to speculation? Kudos to their discipline on that front. It at least goes to show that no one internally is trying to sabotage the process or force Lovie one way or another.

Ransom Stoddard · Jan 17, 2018

UI2009 said:
I've stayed pretty much on the "I don't know what to think" train regarding this long process. But at this point I am actually quite impressed. Do you know how impossible it is for a staff to go about this this long without one minor, tiny leak, or anything else that would lead to speculation? Kudos to their discipline on that front. It at least goes to show that no one internally is trying to sabotage the process or force Lovie one way or another.

Pretty much dead on, but it's surprising how a lot of people jump to the conclusion that because we haven't heard anything, offers must have been extended and rejected.

Because that's the only possible reason for radio silence. /s

hankmardukas · Jan 17, 2018

Florida state and FAU both just hired their OCs today. FAU’s is the 24 year old son of Charlie weis. I would prefer already knowing who the OC will be next year but it’s not like Illinois is the only team figuring out their coaching staff right now and truthfully, we are not big enough of a fish for most news outlet to care at this point.

The best thing for the future of the program is to make sure the hire will work out, not rush because we are afraid of the appearance (that 99% of college football fans won’t notice anyways)

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PackofIllini12 · Jan 17, 2018

Ransom Stoddard said:
Pretty much dead on, but it's surprising how a lot of people jump to the conclusion that because we haven't heard anything, offers must have been extended and rejected.

Because that's the only possible reason for radio silence. /s

you do realize how incredibly difficult it is for there not to be leaks..... water cooler talk will happen, people are curious about their own jobs, office scuttlebutt is a thing.

Lake Camelot · Jan 17, 2018

PackofIllini12 said:
you do realize how incredibly difficult it is for there not to be leaks..... water cooler talk will happen, people are curious about their own jobs, office scuttlebutt is a thing.

I think that is what he said.

TheGMan · Jan 17, 2018

Wouldn't there be leaks that we have been rejected multiple times, too? You cannot use the lack of leaks to prove one thing over the other. The only thing that lack of leaks can be used as evidence for is that we do not know anything about what has really happened.

Ransom Stoddard · Jan 17, 2018

PackofIllini12 said:
you do realize how incredibly difficult it is for there not to be leaks..... water cooler talk will happen, people are curious about their own jobs, office scuttlebutt is a thing.

Leaks happen when you let people have information they don't need to have.

Keeping information controlled is controlling the narrative.

Wooderson · Jan 17, 2018

hankmardukas said:
Florida state and FAU both just hired their OCs today. FAU’s is the 24 year old son of Charlie weis.

FAU => Decided Schematic Advantage.

Ransom Stoddard · Jan 17, 2018

IlliniMed said:
Not necessarily

Entirely. If no one has information they can't leak it. If your narrative is no information, they're controlling the narrative. There's no upside at all for Lovie to come out and say "we're still looking but we haven't found the right guy" or "Our first X choices turned us down."

Like I've said before, and at the risk of rule 5, almost NO ONE cares about this except rando message board posters. ESPN pundits aren't scratching their heads wondering what's going on with the Illinois FB program. Twitter is pretty quiet as far as criticism of the silence goes. I can find literally no media coverage of this "out of control narrative" at all, but to look at this board you'd think the DIA is all running around with their heads cut off.

sbillini · Jan 17, 2018

IlliniMed said:
I'm just saying youre wrong about them controlling the narrative. They have no control at the moment because people like you can make up any story you want right now. There are much better ways they can be in control. Again, i'm not saying that Lovie doesnt have his guy but to say that they are in control of the narrative right now is delusional

What I (and I think others) are saying is that Lovie doesn't - and shouldn't -
care about "controlling the narrative" to the general public. To me, this is because, in the long-run, there's only downside in doing so. If he comes out and starts making statements (or starts talking to people that'll start leaking), and things don't go as planned, it just makes a bad situation worse. On the other hand, if he says nothing, and the hire is made (whether it's a good hire or bad), the only thing that'll matter is who the hire is and how he performs, not how long it took to make it and how well-informed the general public was about the process.

I'm sure he's managing the narrative to those that matter (recruits, current players, HS coaches etc.) to the extent he deems necessary. But to you and me, he doesn't seem the need to, and I agree with him. And, as others have said, it's not like we're under a microscope here.

blmillini · Jan 17, 2018

Ransom Stoddard said:
Entirely. If no one has information they can't leak it. If your narrative is no information, they're controlling the narrative. There's no upside at all for Lovie to come out and say "we're still looking but we haven't found the right guy" or "Our first X choices turned us down."

Like I've said before, and at the risk of rule 5, almost NO ONE cares about this except rando message board posters. ESPN pundits aren't scratching their heads wondering what's going on with the Illinois FB program. Twitter is pretty quiet as far as criticism of the silence goes. I can find literally no media coverage of this "out of control narrative" at all, but to look at this board you'd think the DIA is all running around with their heads cut off.

I hadn't thought about it until this post. They are absolutely controlling the narrative by not providing any kind of information that could be used against them. Anyone that speculates runs the risk of looking like an idiot in the end if they turn out to be wrong. How many times do we see programs criticized for missing on guys? It is a bit more difficult for that to happen when nobody knows.

thunderwear · Jan 17, 2018

blmillini said:
I hadn't thought about it until this post. They are absolutely controlling the narrative by not providing any kind of information that could be used against them. Anyone that speculates runs the risk of looking like an idiot in the end if they turn out to be wrong. How many times do we see programs criticized for missing on guys? It is a bit more difficult for that to happen when nobody knows.

If one thing is clear from Lovie being fired from the Bears is that he does not control or even pay any attention to the narrative. I think this is a growing edge for him that he is not aware of.

But, Love is doing a great job getting us legitimate recruits that know there is a rebuild in process. I am not sure that the narrative vacuum is stronger than the rebuild narrative.

"We have work to do", "you can be a NCAA all american as a Freshman", "we are rebuilding this historic franchise", "we have the most NFL experience" "we will win" etc. is going to attract a certain kind of player. Not the player that wants to come in and compete for a national title every year.

I'm not sure that I believe Lovie Smith is losing recruiting battles because the recruits are worried about some specific aspect of the rebuild. Truth is that we are going to lose battles anyway. If they don't buy into Lovie and put their faith in him, I am not sure they would be what we need to take get us back to the starting line. Whoever joins, knows that the program is going to be bad and want to make it better.

I'm not saying that I am happy we dont have info on the coach search. Rather, I am saying that it is not worth worrying about losing a recruit or two, which we can't actually know if the reason is the coach search. Just keep faith in Lovie. he knows how to turn a program around.

Ransom Stoddard · Jan 17, 2018

IlliniMed said:
I'm just saying youre wrong about them controlling the narrative.

Let's see if there is any demonstrable evidence to support that statement. Here we go.

They have no control at the moment because people like you can make up any story you want right now.

People like me (or you) don't matter to "the narrative" or anyone who thinks we need one. We're anonymous random message board posters. We have no reach, no audience, and no credibility. I fail to see how someone could even forward this as support for the idea that a narrative is needed.

here are much better ways they can be in control.

For example?

Again, i'm not saying that Lovie doesnt have his guy but to say that they are in control of the narrative right now is delusional

Until you or anyone else can provide some details about what that narrative should look like, and what harm there is of not having one, I'm going to declare the notion delusion free.

So back to the first part of the post---nope, nothing to prove me wrong yet.

But here's a thought, given how many times you've posted about "the narrative" but lack of identifying what it should be....could you just be trolling?

Oldtoysrock · Jan 17, 2018

Pekinfan said:
“Do I have a list of OC candidates that would be acceptable”? No I don’t have a list. But I’m not paid millions of dollars a year to keep a list on hand when I fire a coach.
When Coach Smith was asked if he had someone in mind for the OC position he said “I’m prepared”. Of course this was after he said he didn’t expect any staff changes.
I’m not anti ILLINI football I just don’t like poorly managed events. By any reasonable observation this has been poorly managed.
Unless our new OC coach is working for a team playing this weekend there is no excuse for this mess.
I’m glad we have a lot of optimistic fans on this board. I just wish more of them were also more realistic.

+1

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mhuml32 · Jan 17, 2018

Ransom Stoddard said:
Leaks happen when you let people have information they don't need to have.

Pekinfan · Jan 17, 2018

Well last year we began the year with just three quarterbacks and it turned into a mess.
This year it looks like we are starting the year with one!
Sure we may have two freshmen, I really thing only one, but is this anyway to run a major college program?
Some are saying they left because they don’t like the new OC. Seems strange since no one knows who that is.
Do we have a festering, steric problem with this coaching team?
I used the term “ train wreck “ in an earlier post. I stand by that post!

Illinois Coaching Staff Search

PackofIllini12

Lake Camelot

t7nich

UofI08

illiniwil

icengineer

Qwiksilvur

icengineer

BMo79

UI2009

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest

hankmardukas

PackofIllini12

Lake Camelot

TheGMan

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest

Wooderson

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest

sbillini

blmillini

thunderwear

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest

Oldtoysrock

mhuml32

Pekinfan