I think people are undervaluing this. Yes Weber made the tourney more but he had 100 million dollar trust that he pissed away. Groce had a harder task set ahead than Weber. I wish Groce the best even though I agree with the change.
John Groce Fired
I think people are undervaluing this. Yes Weber made the tourney more but he had 100 million dollar trust that he pissed away. Groce had a harder task set ahead than Weber. I wish Groce the best even though I agree with the change.
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
Wish him well. I hope he realizes that you often have to be the bad guy and get on your guys to get them to perform beyond their level. And, you have to go with the skill over the relationship.
Sad Day
I truly hope everyone keeps it classy. While I am in agreement with the decision, I respect Coach Groce for how he handled himself while representing the ILLINI. I hope that who ever the new coach maybe, he's able to keep the recruiting class in tact.
:usa:
I truly hope everyone keeps it classy. While I am in agreement with the decision, I respect Coach Groce for how he handled himself while representing the ILLINI. I hope that who ever the new coach maybe, he's able to keep the recruiting class in tact.
:usa:skyIdub
Winged Warrior
I don't think anyone is taking personal pleasure in Groce's firing today.
The pleasure that I feel, and I'm certain I'm not alone, is in the new direction of our program and the phenomenal AD we have running the show.
Anyone actually directing poor wishes towards Groce and his future is just a poor example of humanity.
The pleasure that I feel, and I'm certain I'm not alone, is in the new direction of our program and the phenomenal AD we have running the show.
Anyone actually directing poor wishes towards Groce and his future is just a poor example of humanity.
Mr Groce
Today is not a celebration.
I want to personally Thank You for giving Illinois 110% over the last 5 years. Your Leadership skills are outstanding and it will serve you well in your future.
Leadership can be defined in many ways -As a former Marine GySgt E-7 I can spot LEADERSHIP and you sir are a leader of Men.
Thank you for your Leadership the last 5 years.
You and Allison have touched many hearts here and I want to Thank you for that.
God Speed.
Today is not a celebration.
I want to personally Thank You for giving Illinois 110% over the last 5 years. Your Leadership skills are outstanding and it will serve you well in your future.
Leadership can be defined in many ways -As a former Marine GySgt E-7 I can spot LEADERSHIP and you sir are a leader of Men.
Thank you for your Leadership the last 5 years.
You and Allison have touched many hearts here and I want to Thank you for that.
God Speed.
Had the pleasure of meeting Coach Groce at the UNC-Illinois football game last fall. He was busy hosting Tilmon and Wilkes and their families for a recruiting visit, but he took the time to have a conversation with me after the recruits went off to hang with the players. I was really hoping he could have been the guy to bring Illinois back. I will be rooting for him wherever he lands.
I'll bet that Groce was primarily shocked he wouldn't be allowed to coach through the NIT. Probably knew the firing was highly possible. It's really not that unusual to let a lame duck coach stay to coach his guys through the postseason, even if the dismissal has been announced and a public search initiated. Happens relatively frequently, and Groce probably assumed that he'd be offered the opportunity given his relationship with Whitman and the absence of any scandal. Just my guess.
Met him in a similar fashion at the Texas State FB game weekend a several years ago. It was at the iHotel and he called me over because he liked my grubby 70s era Illinois BB t-shirt. Very nice convo with a very nice guy. He had to wrap it up quickly as JCL and family pulled up and we're coming through the door. Like to think I brought us luck there.
Echo everything that's been said about what a fine guy Groce is. Just couldn't get it done here, though it wasn't for not trying. I predict he'll land on his feet and continue to recruit well wherever he lands. A lot of the basketball side I never could figure what he was doing/thinking, but it's water under the bridge. Good luck to Messrs Groce and Whitman, and thanks to JG for avoiding the word mollycoddle today. Go Illini!
And that may have been JW's initial inclination. But as he said, it is a competitive marketplace of musical chairs, and you do not want to be left standing. It is quite possible that he felt pressured, and wants to bid for some of the same names that Mizzou and NC State will go after.
It is also possible that he felt that, once he took the decision to fire Groce, it was to the program's best interest to have Jamal coach and openly/publicly audition to the next coach.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
Did anyone tweet the presser key points?
Ironic that the very characteristics we admire in Groce probably cost him his job.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Yep. I also believe that maybe it could be to give Groce the leg up on his next opportunity as well. Let him be available right away. I think it was the right moves all around.
I have to believe Whitman was fighting for Groce's job, but after the last two games that became a lost cause. The pressure from those holding the purse strings must have been intense.
Quite possibly was a factor for JW, but to his credit he didn't mention it as such. Watching Whitman go about his biz, one can't help being VERY impressed with the guy. Loved his explanation of how his approach makes every day better but today tougher. If we end up with a hoops coach as competent and classy as JW we'll be alright.
From the sounds of the press conference today, I think his heart was fighting for Groce to keep his job, but I think his brain has known for a while. I've been on the fence about keeping/firing Groce, but once he told his thoughts about the champ is here video from ten years ago and not letting it turn into 30 years ago, I knew he was making the right call.
Now, he made the right initial call, but he's gotta execute all the way through the process now, which ultimately is where Groce had the problem that lost him his job.
I just watched the two press conferences but have not read the thread yet. Few thoughts:
1. Josh Whitman is a good human being and a true leader. We are lucky to have him as our AD. The way he answers and speaks truths and "keeps it real" is amazing. He is a man of high integrity.
2. John Groce is a great leader of men and shows what it means to have the buck stop with them. I'm sad a man with his integrity, passion, and work ethic was not able to succeed here. I wish him all the best. Even though we aren't where we should be I do think he has made Illinois more desireable to recruits than when Weber left. I thank him for that.
1. Josh Whitman is a good human being and a true leader. We are lucky to have him as our AD. The way he answers and speaks truths and "keeps it real" is amazing. He is a man of high integrity.
2. John Groce is a great leader of men and shows what it means to have the buck stop with them. I'm sad a man with his integrity, passion, and work ethic was not able to succeed here. I wish him all the best. Even though we aren't where we should be I do think he has made Illinois more desireable to recruits than when Weber left. I thank him for that.
bredhartmann
- Centralia, IL
This is what you got out of the press conference?
Thank you, Coach Groce. I am a proud alumni of the University of Illinois. You represented our great university with character, dignity, and integrity. At first I hoped for your success. Then, after seeing our boys take down #1 Indiana and watching your post game interview, I have rooted hard for your success ever since. I know this was the right move for our program. I hope to someday celebrate the success of of our new coach. But today, I wish you and your family well. I thank you for making me proud to root for the Illini. Not for the success that never came, but for the integrity and character of the program that I love. And yes, there were times our boys failed in representing our school, but you treated those situations the way I would want someone coaching my children to treat them. God bless, Coach.
peace davids
- Colorado
Has Kedric's article been discussed yet? With all the JG praise today, he is not sugar coating it. Since the Kenny Battle article, I'm guessing Kedric has not been part of the circle of trust.
http://www.qconline.com/sports/college_sports/groce-experiment-over-for-illini/article_4a1297a9-92bd-5b50-bf61-7ca303691669.html
http://www.qconline.com/sports/college_sports/groce-experiment-over-for-illini/article_4a1297a9-92bd-5b50-bf61-7ca303691669.html
This is the first I've heard of Groce's assistants disagreeing on playtime. Did I miss that earlier?
illynifan34
That's a winner!!
- OH
Need a clean break. It is right for the coach, the program and the players.
Because while you're wasting time with a dead man walking as head coach, some other team might snap up the guy you want.