Yeah I would hate to see him at Illinois, simply because I've heard he hates recruiting.
The Illinois Coaching Search
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Yeah I would hate to see him at Illinois, simply because I've heard he hates recruiting.
Doesn't matter because he has things rolling at UCLA and isn't going anywhere. But Alford would cause me to never watch Illinois again and root for the death penalty at Illinois.
I would have to stifle a gag reflex if it was Alford. Repeatedly.
CrazedUIFan
UI Fan in QC Land
Doesn't matter because he has things rolling at UCLA and isn't going anywhere. But Alford would cause me to never watch Illinois again and root for the death penalty at Illinois.
This!
If we're looking at coaches that "fit", are successful, and can use a raise I guess Jay Wright and Dana Altman would fit the bill. They're pretty settled in at their schools though. Then I would say I still like Monty (even though he said no according to a source) and Archie. Those are my pie in the sky guys, but maybe one of them wants to make the move.
Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
JW said he's not going to announce anything tomorrow (Monday, 3/13) because the NCAA tournament is on, so basically if he has a coach already "hired," there's a good chance he's coaching a tournament team, rather than someone who is doing something else right now. He's not going to distract from that coach's duties while he's still obligated to do his best for his employer, fans and players. You wouldn't want an AD who would, and wouldn't want a coach that would accept on those terms.
But if he doesn't have a coach already committed, he's not going to go knocking on a door that no one's behind because said occupant is off at the NCAA tournament: "Hey, I'm dancin' heah."
Doesn't Altman have some issues in terms of integrity?? He doesn't seem to be a Whitman-type hire
If you think that the Monty Williams thing had legs and you're looking for someone in the same mold, a name that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Avery Johnson.
He's only been at Bama two years. He's really only managed to maintain the team at the level Anthony Grant had them so far. But, as has been discussed previously in this thread, that's an awfully tough place to win. And Johnson has been killing it on the recruiting trail.
He's only been at Bama two years. He's really only managed to maintain the team at the level Anthony Grant had them so far. But, as has been discussed previously in this thread, that's an awfully tough place to win. And Johnson has been killing it on the recruiting trail.
I'm not sure. Would be interested to hear about it though.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2015/01/university_of_oregon_and_dana.html
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-ba...basketball-lawsuit/1235dn1e9pphj1oyw5ves6wbmh
He was named in a lawsuit regarding an alleged sexual assault involving 3 Oregon players, but was then removed from the suit by the accuser. I didn't follow it closely but it seemed like a lot of smoke, no fire.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Digging through bigger name coaches that might have some interest (outside the box edition):
Dana Altman - Really has things rolling at Oregon, but is a midwestern guy. As good as Oregon is, they're a football school first in a small market state. To get players, Altman has to heavily recruit out of state. He's also making $3m/year on a long term contract that he just signed last year (buyout would be pricey). We could offer more, but Oregon knows what they have in Altman and could also offer him another pay raise with all the Phil Knight money.
Mike Anderson - Maybe not a BIG name, but a guy that has been successful at two P5 programs. His Missouri tenure and shady exit don't look great, but his record has been impressive. He's made teams better at every stop. He's making $2.2m/year, so there's room to offer a better salary. Would he be interested? Would we? I doubt it, but worth a mention.
Sam Cassell - Another NBA guy, but one who has been mentioned for a number of NBA head jobs. Currently with the Pacers, so there's some proximity there (if not true connection). Would bring name recognition, but no college or head coaching experience. Long shot without a doubt.
Mark Jackson - If we can't get Monty, why not another fairly successful NBA coach? Sure, he's been an NBA guy through-and-through since he stopped playing, but that didn't stop us from pursuing Monty (reportedly). He would bring instant name recognition. Would he be interested in a move to college in an area he doesn't have any real connection to (that I know of). Who knows, but if we're thinking outside the box, he's an interesting name.
Kevin Ollie - Is it crazy to include Ollie? Probably, but something tells me it isn't a complete non-starter. After a rough 16/17, would he jump ship at the opportunity to start fresh while making a little more money? Might be worth a call.
Dana Altman - Really has things rolling at Oregon, but is a midwestern guy. As good as Oregon is, they're a football school first in a small market state. To get players, Altman has to heavily recruit out of state. He's also making $3m/year on a long term contract that he just signed last year (buyout would be pricey). We could offer more, but Oregon knows what they have in Altman and could also offer him another pay raise with all the Phil Knight money.
Mike Anderson - Maybe not a BIG name, but a guy that has been successful at two P5 programs. His Missouri tenure and shady exit don't look great, but his record has been impressive. He's made teams better at every stop. He's making $2.2m/year, so there's room to offer a better salary. Would he be interested? Would we? I doubt it, but worth a mention.
Sam Cassell - Another NBA guy, but one who has been mentioned for a number of NBA head jobs. Currently with the Pacers, so there's some proximity there (if not true connection). Would bring name recognition, but no college or head coaching experience. Long shot without a doubt.
Mark Jackson - If we can't get Monty, why not another fairly successful NBA coach? Sure, he's been an NBA guy through-and-through since he stopped playing, but that didn't stop us from pursuing Monty (reportedly). He would bring instant name recognition. Would he be interested in a move to college in an area he doesn't have any real connection to (that I know of). Who knows, but if we're thinking outside the box, he's an interesting name.
Kevin Ollie - Is it crazy to include Ollie? Probably, but something tells me it isn't a complete non-starter. After a rough 16/17, would he jump ship at the opportunity to start fresh while making a little more money? Might be worth a call.
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This stuff makes me sick to my stomach. I hate to condemn someone when it didn't go to trial, but that whole situation reaks. Appreciate the info. Maybe not Altman.
sdfidaho
- Boise, Idaho
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Also, when we do finally name the head coach it's going to paramount that the coach assembles the best staff to allow him to win at Illinois. Coaches typically come in with their guys, but I'm hoping to nab someone that takes the opportunity to hire assistants that fit an outline of what will be successful here. I've said this a couple of times, but a guy like Dennis Gates screams associate head coach at Illinois. He's a great recruiter, Chicago ties, and VERY smart. Also, if we're thinking long-term success, he's the type that could be a coach in waiting.
Agree that the staff is key. I think this was Coach Groce's undoing. He seemed very loyal to the staff, but I don't think the staff did a good job of covering up for some of his shortcomings. Folks are Purdue told me that Bruce Weber did a lot gameplanning and in game adjustments when he was on Keady's staff. I think Coach Groce's time here would have been a lot different if he had an assistant like that.
I would like to somehow see a Coach come in with an appreciation for the Illini Family, and try to bring in someone like Dee, the Rev, Deon, Kenny Battle, etc and try to develop the Illinois coaching tree. These guys all have potential. Can't say how impressed I am with listening to Deon on the radio. And I guy that would be huge, and might soon be looking for a career change would be Deron. I remember Coach Webber or Self saying something about how great it was for team chemistry when the best player is the hardest working player, referring to Deron.
How about this for a just over the edge of feasibility scenario... Lon Kruger comes back at forms a staff of ex-Illiini. Lon finishes his career here and grooms the "family" for a potential successor, while the family locks down the state.
I would like to somehow see a Coach come in with an appreciation for the Illini Family, and try to bring in someone like Dee, the Rev, Deon, Kenny Battle, etc and try to develop the Illinois coaching tree. These guys all have potential. Can't say how impressed I am with listening to Deon on the radio. And I guy that would be huge, and might soon be looking for a career change would be Deron. I remember Coach Webber or Self saying something about how great it was for team chemistry when the best player is the hardest working player, referring to Deron.
How about this for a just over the edge of feasibility scenario... Lon Kruger comes back at forms a staff of ex-Illiini. Lon finishes his career here and grooms the "family" for a potential successor, while the family locks down the state.
The way it usually works is the new coach will have at least two guys from his current staff come along. Assistants he feels comfortable with. Rare that he would come to Illinois and choose three coaches he has never worked with.
Guys like Gates and Deon would be long long shots unless the new coach has a previous relationship with them. The new coach will obviously be someone who has been very successful before and has close ties to assistants who helped him be successful. We will be lucky if the new coach keeps Walker.
I'll echo the hopes that our new coach is willing/able to lure Roger Powell back home.
Exactly. I believe JW has the ability to spend a larger amount on "the right guy" but will spend considerably less if we can't get someone in the top tier. Just because we can pay higher, doesn't mean that we will. If we spend over 3 million on a coach, it should be someone we are all excited over.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
It's pretty rare for for a successful coach (the kind of guys we're going after) not to have an established group of assistants to come with them. I have a feeling those hoping Walker will stay are going to be disappointed. When hiring a coach, giving them total control over the their staff is a must. Assuming the new coach doesn't already have a relationship with Walker, he's probably gone.
Several of our targets do have a previous relationship with Walker. But you are correct that a coach needs to be free to pick his own staff.
Illini Ad Man
- Hawkeye land (previously Jayhawk Country)
Maybe already stated, but if we don't hold on to Coach Walker and he lands at Mizzou, that could be very bad.
Also, I'm puzzled why more aren't a fan of Steve Prohm at Iowa State. Granted not a lot of time as HC at highest level, but the guy wins. He and the Cyclones knocked off Self and Kansas at Lawrence again this year, they just won the Big 12 Tourney again, and he's a bargain (though the bargain isn't the rationale.
Also, I'm puzzled why more aren't a fan of Steve Prohm at Iowa State. Granted not a lot of time as HC at highest level, but the guy wins. He and the Cyclones knocked off Self and Kansas at Lawrence again this year, they just won the Big 12 Tourney again, and he's a bargain (though the bargain isn't the rationale.
Plenty of coaches hire assistants as little more than bait for big-time recruits though. Walker could be that guy for Tilmon, we'll have to see.
Didn't mean to insinuate that he would hire 3 strangers.
ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
For the Keatts train riders, myself included now that Monty seems to be off the table, what is your ideal scenario for how this plays out?
I'm thinking UNCW ideally wins their first round game and loses their second. Then we lock him up shortly after, about 7-10 days from now. One win instills confidence from the masses but doesn't get expectations sky high for others to get involved. Though, any AD ought to have him on their list anyway.
I'm thinking UNCW ideally wins their first round game and loses their second. Then we lock him up shortly after, about 7-10 days from now. One win instills confidence from the masses but doesn't get expectations sky high for others to get involved. Though, any AD ought to have him on their list anyway.
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