John Groce at Illinois

HerbertFish · Feb 1, 2016

Second and Chalmers said:
Really? And this was not the case when he took over? Would be interested to read any info.

Oh apparently I lied about the money. Wiki said 44 million dollars but that's apparently Australian dollars. Converting it, it's 3rd among the grand slams for total prize pool.

Doing a little research on the attendance, it drew 720k this year which was a record for the event and I believe may be an overall record for total attendance during a tournament. The previous high was 2009 US open. From what I gather, us open is supposed to killed everyone when it comes to attendance so for the Aus Open to beat that is extremely impressive.

Second and Chalmers · Feb 1, 2016

SeattleSlim said:
Up to now I haven't commented on JG's skills as a coach, recruiter, etc., and I'm not a math major, but after 3+ years of careful observation of this team I conclude that TNT < BBIQ +XO.

The extra B is for BYOBB!

MakeIllinoisGreatAgain · Feb 1, 2016

Been reading this board for a long time and have found this thread to be quite interesting and just wanted to make one point. I am always of the belief that new ADs want to get their own coaches in under them just as soon as possible. Similar to a lot of situations where there is a change at the top, and the new hire is eager to get their own people in wherever can possibly be justified. I just have a hard time believing, in this case, that a new AD would not jump at the chance to go ahead and hire his guy as HC. Obviously, it wont be hard to justify, and I would be rather shocked if the new AD turned down that opportunity. Why wait?

mattcoldagelli · Feb 1, 2016

^^ Strong username game ^^

Klondike · Feb 1, 2016

mattcoldagelli said:
^^ Strong username game ^^

#MIGA

roger murdock · Feb 1, 2016

It says something that the most enjoyment I get from being an Illinois fan now is reading the forums. The games don't even hurt anymore, I have become immune to our ineptitude.

Jacob · Feb 1, 2016

roger murdock said:
It says something that the most enjoyment I get from being an Illinois fan now is reading the forums. The games don't even hurt anymore, I have become immune to our ineptitude.

I don't even look at the basketball thread anymore. We are toast

zpfled · Feb 1, 2016

Jacob said:
I don't even look at the basketball thread anymore. We are toast

You are clearly a lying liar who lies.

89illinigrad · Feb 2, 2016

WesterveltVictoryCigar said:
At this point a lot have given up on Groce, so who gets more slack from fans, him or the new guy? Probably the latter.

I think we would have made the tournament as well if healthy and I still think Groce probably does get that additional chance next year.

But I also wouldn't find fault if the choice was to move on now. Yes, he's had a lot of bad luck but so did Weber. It's a bottom line business and sometimes it's just about the W/L record and not the details behind it.

But we didn't have Nunn, Black or Tate for those first two games. If we had everyone healthy, we're at worst a bubble team and probably better than that.

I thought that Groce would be given some slack after Weber. So, how's that working out for him?

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Feb 2, 2016

89illinigrad said:
I thought that Groce would be given some slack after Weber. So, how's that working out for him?

Not well. He's used it all up.

491illinois · Feb 2, 2016

mattcoldagelli said:
.

You can take the position that Groce should be fired the day after the season ends. I can't blame you. But taking that position based on the assumption that we can go out and get a coach of Bryce Drew's caliber seems just as unrealistic as the people hoping for a recruiting moon shot in 2017.

Much as I hate to agree with this, it seems a pretty accurate statement of the unpleasant reality we are facing.

89illinigrad · Feb 2, 2016

WesterveltVictoryCigar said:
Not well. He's used it all up.

Exactly. So, how much rope will the new guy get?

Look, I understand why everyone is so upset. The last thing that Groce needed after the way last season ended was an injury plagued losing season.

While some see this as a continuation of a downward trend, I see this season as an aberration.

If this season had happened to a new coach or if this was Groce's first season, we would be talking about how snake bit the coach is and he would get a pass for this year. But, after the last two years, some people are unwilling to give Groce a pass.

I truly think that this was going to be the year that Groce turned things around and got us back on the upward trend, with a NCAA berth and a promise of more good things to come. Unfortunately, what little luck he had has run out and it may very well cost him his job.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Feb 2, 2016

89illinigrad said:
I truly think that this was going to be the year that Groce turned things around and got us back on the upward trend, with a NCAA berth and a promise of more good things to come. Unfortunately, what little luck he had has run out and it may very well cost him his job.

Yeah, that sounds familiar:

WesterveltVictoryCigar said:
It's a bottom line business and sometimes it's just about the W/L record and not the details behind it.

But we didn't have Nunn, Black or Tate for those first two games. If we had everyone healthy, we're at worst a bubble team and probably better than that.

SaveChief · Feb 2, 2016

State of Affairs

Lifelong Illini fan and alum. Didn't watch game (wasn't even sure when or on what station it was). I no longer read the recruiting news (because it won't be great and it won't matter). The basketball team has been taken down to irrelevance.

The University of Illinois needs to make a great hire at the AD level, no more b-level talent at any athletic department position. The AD needs to be secure enough as a person to hire someone who may be smarter than them. Neither major program can afford to hire another Beckman or Groce. The next coach needs to have won consistently at a high-level and understand where Illinois was (prior to about 2007) and where it can go.

Newman · Feb 2, 2016

SaveChief said:
The next coach needs to have won consistently at a high-level and understand where Illinois was (prior to about 2007) and where it can go.

And this happens how? Hiring a great established coach won't happen just because fans beg for it to happen.

bleedsorangenblue · Feb 2, 2016

89illinigrad said:
Exactly. So, how much rope will the new guy get?

Look, I understand why everyone is so upset. The last thing that Groce needed after the way last season ended was an injury plagued losing season.

While some see this as a continuation of a downward trend, I see this season as an aberration.

If this season had happened to a new coach or if this was Groce's first season, we would be talking about how snake bit the coach is and he would get a pass for this year. But, after the last two years, some people are unwilling to give Groce a pass.

I truly think that this was going to be the year that Groce turned things around and got us back on the upward trend, with a NCAA berth and a promise of more good things to come. Unfortunately, what little luck he had has run out and it may very well cost him his job.

After over 1350 posts, this sums it up pretty well. All the gnashing of teeth and protests about where Illinois should be in the pecking order are not going to change a thing. You can't just wave a hand and make it so. We have to let this season play out and evaluate things at the end.

So much is going to depend on the new AD that it really is impossible to predict what is going to happen. I personally think that Groce should get another year barring implosion. Someone's comments that a new AD may want to put his own guy in ASAP is certainly a possibility. I hope that if there is to be change it is for the good of the program and not change for change's sake.

HerbertFish · Feb 2, 2016

Anyone want a big name candidate? Sounds like Gar Forman may be out in the not so distant future in Chicago. Hoiberg would almost certainly be fired too then. It's only a 2 hour drive from Chicago to Champaign.

Second and Chalmers · Feb 2, 2016

HerbertFish said:
Anyone want a big name candidate? Sounds like Gar Forman may be out in the not so distant future in Chicago. Hoiberg would almost certainly be fired too then. It's only a 2 hour drive from Chicago to Champaign.

I would be surprised if Jerry Reinsdorf would blow it up that quickly. GarPax are his guys, and he stands by his guys. Kenny Williams is still employed by the White Sox for goodness sakes.

Dan · Feb 2, 2016

Let's move the AD talk over to the AD thread please, thanks! :illinois:

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=22759

Gorilla Gorilla · Feb 2, 2016

roger murdock said:
It says something that the most enjoyment I get from being an Illinois fan now is reading the forums. The games don't even hurt anymore, I have become immune to our ineptitude.

you find enjoyment from these forums?

temperedexpectations · Feb 2, 2016

Gorilla Gorilla said:
you find enjoyment from these forums?

It's a place to commiserate for Illini fans. Therapy for some. Me, my expectations are so low for Illinois sports these days that i find the terrible to be entertaining as much as the good, like those people who watch housewives or kardashians, it's so bad it's fun.

Adnarel · Feb 2, 2016

And here I was, thinking this was a containment thread.

IlliNYC · Feb 2, 2016

89illinigrad said:
Exactly. So, how much rope will the new guy get?

Look, I understand why everyone is so upset. The last thing that Groce needed after the way last season ended was an injury plagued losing season.

While some see this as a continuation of a downward trend, I see this season as an aberration.

If this season had happened to a new coach or if this was Groce's first season, we would be talking about how snake bit the coach is and he would get a pass for this year. But, after the last two years, some people are unwilling to give Groce a pass.

I truly think that this was going to be the year that Groce turned things around and got us back on the upward trend, with a NCAA berth and a promise of more good things to come. Unfortunately, what little luck he had has run out and it may very well cost him his job.

Groce undoubtedly has had terrible injury luck...but his mistakes have exacerbated that bad luck. e.g. bringing back DP.

Also, I'm only half serious--but do we really want a coach with such bad luck?

icengineer · Feb 2, 2016

IlliNYC said:
Groce undoubtedly has had terrible injury luck...but his mistakes have exacerbated that bad luck. e.g. bringing back DP.

Also, I'm only half serious--but do we really want a coach with such bad luck?

Bright side?!?! Only one way to go from here, and that is UP! :thumb:

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Feb 2, 2016

icengineer said:
Bright side?!?! Only one way to go from here, and that is UP! :thumb:

Hi, you've found an Illinois sports board. Just thought I'd point this out as this post leads me to believe you are unfamiliar with our past.

John Groce at Illinois

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