Edit: Disregard.
I think spending whatever it takes on a good OC and lead recruiter is most important, by far.
I think spending whatever it takes on a good OC and lead recruiter is most important, by far.
Illinois Football Staff Thread
illinihawk16
- Chicago
Have we heard anything about Bellamy if he's staying/going? I know he's pretty popular with a lot of the players.
Can someone help me out on Bellamy? I know he is well liked alum, but the WR play last year left a lot to be desired.... tons of drops, poorly run routes, mediocre blocking.. a lot of people point to his recruiting, but is he really that elite as a recruiter? He failed to close deal on Fairs, Geddis (lost to Kansas and Cincinnati respectively) just this past signing day. Lost AD Walton the year before which was a big fish. We've had a lot of turnover at WR from I believe his recruits - Murdock gone, Barr and Stone-Davis never contributed and both gone now...
I am ok with him on the staff going forward, but I don't see it as a slam dunk retention. If Lovie can bring in a WR with NFL/big time college coaching experience and recruiting prowess - I would be all for it.
I am ok with him on the staff going forward, but I don't see it as a slam dunk retention. If Lovie can bring in a WR with NFL/big time college coaching experience and recruiting prowess - I would be all for it.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
People are doing the Illinois thing where they desperately pine for a big-time shake-up and then instantly start looking at who from said shake-up should stay. I'm convinced we do this more intensely than almost anyone.
midastouch11
- New York, New York
We hate everything and want it all gone! But then again, maybe half of what wasn't working should stay.
Hiestand is the number 1 candidate, or he has to be. Ever since he took over at ND, they have been downright nasty. He just got a pay raise a few years ago too. Hiestand is also a GREAT recruiter. He stole two big time OL from the state of Ohio. If he comes, it's because of: a) affinity for Lovie and Illinois b) he's getting a pay raise or c) he's becoming the OC/OL
So, what is the feasibility going to be of getting sitting college assistants? It is March after all, and I can't imagine building a whole staff out of free agents. Are we going to have to hire a $3 million staff with $4 million just to lure guys out of jobs at this late date? And will the guys we bring in right now be the guys after the carousel opens next year and we theoretically have broader access to the coaching pool?
Those are the big questions, for me.
Those are the big questions, for me.
Not sure but Lovie had to be getting people lined up the last few weeks, at least with the major spots like OC.
Now that is interesting. Thanks.
Hiestand and/or Brewster would both be upper deck grand slams as part of the staff, but I would be leery of giving either one (or both) OC-type responsibilities when neither has done that in the past.
We know Lovie. He may well embrace read option principles, but he is not going to run a crazy tempo, he's not going to throw the ball all over the field, he is going to want to run the ball, control the game, and let his defense choke the life out of the opponent. Zany offensive schemes give you some margin for error. We're going to have to be excellent in schemes and game-planning and execution to move the ball effectively. Hiestand is as good of an offensive line coach as there is anywhere in football and Brewster is a nationally elite recruiter, but the fact that both guys are such renowned commodities and neither is a coordinator at this stage in their careers tells you something.
I am not saying he couldn't be successful. But this would really worry me with Lovie. I am hoping for an experienced OC. that can run things on their own.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
This would be the most amazing staff collected, but there are people on this listed staff that will stay in the dream scenario.
The Hecklinski obsession is even weirder than the Bellamy thing. Bellamy is an alum and has brought in some of our more talented players over the last few years, so I can understand that even if I disagree.
We dragged Hecklinski out of Division 2 like five weeks ago. Why does anyone see this guy as some marketable commodity? Because he was like the Miss Elizabeth during the brief period of Hokeamania at Michigan? How does that make sense?
We dragged Hecklinski out of Division 2 like five weeks ago. Why does anyone see this guy as some marketable commodity? Because he was like the Miss Elizabeth during the brief period of Hokeamania at Michigan? How does that make sense?
What do the experts think our chances of realistically landing Leslie Frazier are?
The DC will be Lovie technically right?
The agent son is not in the coaching business. It's the other two that will be involved in some capacity.
Here's my semi-realistic dream staff (semi-realistic as in I doubt it's going to happen, but all the guys listed are logical possibilities):
OC/QB - Pep Hamilton
RB - Nathan Scheelhaase
WR - Mike Bellamy
TE/Recruiting Coordinator - Tim Brewster
OL/Asst HC - Harry Hiestand
DC - Leslie Frazier
DL/Asst DC - Mike Phair
LB - John Holecek
CB - Gill Byrd
S - Mikal Smith
ST - Dave Wannestedt
eace:
OC/QB - Pep Hamilton
RB - Nathan Scheelhaase
WR - Mike Bellamy
TE/Recruiting Coordinator - Tim Brewster
OL/Asst HC - Harry Hiestand
DC - Leslie Frazier
DL/Asst DC - Mike Phair
LB - John Holecek
CB - Gill Byrd
S - Mikal Smith
ST - Dave Wannestedt
eace:Soxfreak64
- Bloomington
Unless you really think you can land Aaron Morehead (doubt it), Bellamy makes a lot of sense.
Bridge guy to the new staff, probably the most popular coach (among players/recruits) on the past staff, existing connections to several high quality area recruits.
AND, he's comparatively cheap. Raise him $50-100K for his troubles and he's still topping out at $200K. That's 5% of the total pool, giving you a chance to further incentivize potential staff targets.
Bridge guy to the new staff, probably the most popular coach (among players/recruits) on the past staff, existing connections to several high quality area recruits.
AND, he's comparatively cheap. Raise him $50-100K for his troubles and he's still topping out at $200K. That's 5% of the total pool, giving you a chance to further incentivize potential staff targets.
Bellamy was scheduled to be at 180k this year... I think at this stage you could keep him for that same salary...
Bellamy had to be pissed about what Cubit did with the salaries... Cubit clearly gave preferential treatment to his guys (with his son being the most obvious)
Name Title Total
PHAIR, MIKE Def Coord 440,000
CUBIT, RYAN Off Coord 400,000
BELLAMY, MIKE Asst Coach 180,000
WILLIAMS, PAUL Asst Coach 285,000
HECKLINSKI, JEFF Asst Coach 220,000
RICKER, AJ Asst Coach 330,000
SEAMONSON, ALAN Asst Coach 185,400
MCGARIGLE, TIM Asst Coach 215,000
SCHEELHAASE, NATHAN Asst Coach 160,000
Bellamy had to be pissed about what Cubit did with the salaries... Cubit clearly gave preferential treatment to his guys (with his son being the most obvious)
Name Title Total
PHAIR, MIKE Def Coord 440,000
CUBIT, RYAN Off Coord 400,000
BELLAMY, MIKE Asst Coach 180,000
WILLIAMS, PAUL Asst Coach 285,000
HECKLINSKI, JEFF Asst Coach 220,000
RICKER, AJ Asst Coach 330,000
SEAMONSON, ALAN Asst Coach 185,400
MCGARIGLE, TIM Asst Coach 215,000
SCHEELHAASE, NATHAN Asst Coach 160,000