The Illinois Coaching Search

matt1all · Mar 17, 2017

illinois_hustle said:
Where are we going? Someplace fun?

I'm serious. I want a good coach, not just a good recruiter. I'll admit I'm ignorant on Monty so I'm asking.

Haha fair point. I'm just saying compared to some of these names like Scott Drew, Cuonzo Martin, John Groce... Monty Williams basketball knowledge and actually coaching would blow their minds. He maybe isn't as schematically revered as Bennett is in the college game, but I would argue he can coach people up better than most college coaches

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UofI08 · Mar 17, 2017

Roundball Shaman said:
Yes, some of us believe that the Illini job is as good as Indiana (depends on what your definition of GOOD is). Indiana is a FORMER Blue Blood. The Illini have been on the cusp of being a Blue Blue in good years and have great current potential.That makes the two programs at least equal right now.

False.

But love the enthusiasm

Centennial Illini · Mar 17, 2017

Here is what is most amazing to me. After what seems like a million posts here is what we know. Absolutely nothing. Everything is rumor and conjecture.

I have never seen a UI major coaching hire that was kept this close to the vest. Partially because that is JM approach.

But partially the reason for the absence of leaks is that I think the search is basically over and that our new head coach is still coaching, that Jamall Walker has been approached about staying and we will hear nothing until 24-72 hours after that team is eliminated.

When Ryan Baker tweets "inside sources say", take that to the bank because that inside source is inside JW office if it is not JW himself.

illinois_hustle · Mar 17, 2017

Whitman does know what a good coach looks like, because he watched Mark Edwards at WashU. His tenure there had a team that didn't recruit much but always landed in the top tier of their conference. The other teams in that D3 conference recruited the heck out of eligible kids. That doesn't happen without excellent coaching. Way different levels I know, but apples to apples they did more with less than anyone in the UAA conference. Apply those principles plus good recruiting ties and I'm all in.

GBPillini · Mar 17, 2017

Second and Chalmers said:
We're getting snookered by nonsense Twitter here gang.

I'm not sure if this is better or worse than thinking we're going to get the Miller/Bennett/Marshall group based on silence.

Probably means nothing but -

Tony Bennett didn't give a. Strong denial on Russilo and Kannel about job rumors.

https://twitter.com/AB1132/status/842808031742251010

illinois_hustle · Mar 17, 2017

matt1all said:
Haha fair point. I'm just saying compared to some of these names like Scott Drew, Cuonzo Martin, John Groce... Monty Williams basketball knowledge and actually coaching would blow their minds. He maybe isn't as schematically revered as Bennett is in the college game, but I would argue he can coach people up better than most college coaches

Gotcha - Thanks

Second and Chalmers · Mar 17, 2017

GBPillini said:
https://twitter.com/AB1132/status/842808031742251010

Bennett to IU would stun me only slightly less than Bennett to UI, frankly.

But that dude deserves a raise for sure.

EJ33 · Mar 17, 2017

Centennial Illini said:
Here is what is most amazing to me. After what seems like a million posts here is what we know. Absolutely nothing. Everything is rumor and conjecture.

I have never seen a UI major coaching hire that was kept this close to the vest. Partially because that is JM approach.

But partially the reason for the absence of leaks is that I think the search is basically over and that our new head coach is still coaching, that Jamall Walker has been approached about staying and we will hear nothing until 24-72 hours after that team is eliminated.

When Ryan Baker tweets "inside sources say", take that to the bank because that inside source is inside JW office if it is not JW himself.

What else do you expect from an internet forum?

sacraig · Mar 17, 2017

Centennial Illini said:
Here is what is most amazing to me. After what seems like a million posts here is what we know. Absolutely nothing. Everything is rumor and conjecture.

I have never seen a UI major coaching hire that was kept this close to the vest. Partially because that is JM approach.

But partially the reason for the absence of leaks is that I think the search is basically over and that our new head coach is still coaching, that Jamall Walker has been approached about staying and we will hear nothing until 24-72 hours after that team is eliminated.

When Ryan Baker tweets "inside sources say", take that to the bank because that inside source is inside JW office if it is not JW himself.

I have. The Lovie hire. I don't know that JW has a MO yet in general, but at the very least we can say that his staff does not appear to leak information readily.

Illinifanforlife · Mar 17, 2017

I know it's just Twitter so who knows how true or false some rumors are. But if we got Monty....that would be such a grand slam hire, because we'd probably keep walker and our recruits and get smith too. Plus Monty can really coach.

EJ33 · Mar 17, 2017

Add some more steam to the Bennett train:

Tony Bennett didn't give a. Strong denial on Russilo and Kannel about job rumors.

Austin Burklund, producer Tay & Jay Show

Not exactly an inside source. Run with it though.

Second and Chalmers · Mar 17, 2017

EJ33 said:
What else do you expect from an internet forum?

KEATTS TRAIN HEADING PAST RALEIGH LIKE

illiniguy24 · Mar 17, 2017

Centennial Illini said:
Here is what is most amazing to me. After what seems like a million posts here is what we know. Absolutely nothing. Everything is rumor and conjecture.

I have never seen a UI major coaching hire that was kept this close to the vest. Partially because that is JM approach.

But partially the reason for the absence of leaks is that I think the search is basically over and that our new head coach is still coaching, that Jamall Walker has been approached about staying and we will hear nothing until 24-72 hours after that team is eliminated.

When Ryan Baker tweets "inside sources say", take that to the bank because that inside source is inside JW office if it is not JW himself.

False, here's what we know:

1. We are not getting Czo Martin

2. There have definitely been talks with Monty Williams or at least his people

3. We are competing against some big boy schools for coaching positions that we weren't 100% sure about a week ago (Indiana, Washington, etc)

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dgcrow · Mar 17, 2017

illinois_hustle said:
What's Groce's future, do you think? Smaller school HC or power 5 assistant?

Commentator?

GBPillini · Mar 17, 2017

dgcrow said:
Commentator?

Based on him bringing up his love for teaching so many times during his press conference probably not.

illiniguy24 · Mar 17, 2017

dgcrow said:
Commentator?

Although he is way to competitive to do that any time soon, I'd be interested to see how he would do in that role at some point.

Hopefully his voice would be less horse...

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mhuml32 · Mar 17, 2017

Second and Chalmers said:
Bennett to IU would stun me only slightly less than Bennett to UI, frankly.

But that dude deserves a raise for sure.

Both are >.01%, but the handling of his sister's tenure at IU makes the possibility of him going to Indiana seem impossible.

illini80 · Mar 17, 2017

illinois_hustle said:
What's Groce's future, do you think? Smaller school HC or power 5 assistant?

He will be a head coach. There will be plenty of offers for him, just not P5.

KBLEE · Mar 17, 2017

Roundball Shaman said:
Yes, some of us believe that the Illini job is as good as Indiana (depends on what your definition of GOOD is). Indiana is a FORMER Blue Blood. The Illini have been on the cusp of being a Blue Blue in good years and have great current potential.That makes the two programs at least equal right now.

Roundball Shaman · Mar 17, 2017

Second and Chalmers said:
Definitely. Wisely so.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ethel

I'm not predicting his destination to be Illinois, but you do get the feeling that Drew is inching out the door at Baylor.

Baylor is a mess. Lawsuits flying everywhere. So much dirt under so many rocks. This is what happens when winning is elevated over decency and integrity. Winning that way is not winning at all.

TCTORNADO · Mar 17, 2017

This video of Monty wired up and showing his coaching ability got 130,000 + views. You might recognize some of the guys he's coaching.:thumb:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i01dr_tXiJM

Licensed to ILL · Mar 17, 2017

Sizzler22 said:
I think people are forgetting how much of an impact Monty had on some great players currently playing in the NBA right now. That's the type of guy we need at Illinois.

Exhibit 1 on Monty Williams impact on his players here: http://www.si.com/nba/2014/11/13/ryan-anderson-gia-allemand

Exhibit 2: http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/11/kevin-durant-chokes-monty-williams-wife-ingrid-comments-video

Two extremely difficult circumstances that probably also cause some to consider his ability to commit to a major head coaching job. Hard to say he couldn't make a significant impact in the living room of recruits and the lives of his players if he made that choice, though.

mhuml32 · Mar 17, 2017

illinois_hustle said:
Did you think Groce could coach 5 years ago? Were you proven right? His first season showed some people that he didn't, yet we lost 5 years of time.

Can you provide some context? What, from Groce's first year, showed he couldn't coach?

Second and Chalmers · Mar 17, 2017

Roundball Shaman said:
This is what happens when winning is elevated over decency and integrity.

Decency and integrity were missing there even when they were bad. Ask Carlton Dotson.

IlliniRunIn07 · Mar 17, 2017

illinois_hustle said:
Did you think Groce could coach 5 years ago? Were you proven right? His first season showed some people that he didn't, yet we lost 5 years of time. For me, I don't want a team of 4-5 star one and done head cases who play ugly ball.

If it comes down to it, what is more valuable in today's game? Recruiting, coaching kids up, or in-game coaching? All three is close to impossible to get so perhaps priorities need to be made. Just for me, I want coaching kids up first, then recruiting, then in-game. Other opinions? Sounds like Williams would be great for recruiting, kind of like Lovie as mentioned elsewhere.

Groce wasn't a team USA assistant. And even though Groce is unemployed, the San Antonio Spurs front office isn't beating down his door right now. Some advice, don't compare Groce and Monty because there is absolutely no comparison. I think having concerns about Monty is fine, there would be valid concerns there. He might not be the savior of our program, but Jesus is now being mentioned for the Indiana job anyway.