It is historically and has been in the not too distant past. It will be again with the right hire.
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The Illinois Coaching Search
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Thx. Brain cramp.
Cuonzo with a staff of Tracy Webster, Jamall Walker, and Wyking Jones would undoubtedly recruit well. Bunch of relatively young, charismatic guys with solid basketball backgrounds and good personal reputations. Wyking Jones was at Louisville during the scandal, but like Kevin Keatts he appears to have had no connection to what went on.
If Cuonzo's the guy, color me skeptical but open-minded. Bring in Mark Smith, maybe work some magic and get a high-level 5th year big or an undecided kid like Tugs Bowen and next year could be decent.
If Cuonzo's the guy, color me skeptical but open-minded. Bring in Mark Smith, maybe work some magic and get a high-level 5th year big or an undecided kid like Tugs Bowen and next year could be decent.
He was dead wrong just about any time he's claimed "inside info" about Illinois. Also people thought Beckman was a disaster from the beginning and even wanted to make the unprecedented move to fire him after 1 year so I have no idea where that "refusal to admit" idea comes from.
ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
ray: :thumb:Yeah, and ditto for the "scared to admit it" line too.
1) Relative to everything else, that was his best attribute. No one out worked him, that's for sure.
2) We have the best class in the B1G coming in...
ESPN radio is to use Charles Barkley's word "Hurrible", outside of the "Mike and Mike" show, "The Right Time with Bomoni Jones" and sometimes the "Izzy and Spain" show. Otherwise it seems like a bunch of radio hosts who talk to each other and about sports to each other and really don't put forth a lot of effort to create content worth listening to.
Sadly they are breaking up "Mike and Mike". I can't see that going well for ESPN. Oy ve.
Little too much Larry Eustachy/Billy Gillespie in him?
Mike
C-U Townie
Since we now have some time to dream ab coachs, what is the "best" coaching dream team that will never happen? An ex chicago NBA coach, plus a big time ex nba player, plus a chicago AAU kingpin?
Only have 4 million or so max, but just wondering what linup would drive the top guys here wo resorting to less than clean methods.
Only have 4 million or so max, but just wondering what linup would drive the top guys here wo resorting to less than clean methods.
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sacraig
- The desert
The entire Duke coaching staff leaving there to come coach the Orange and Blue.
Deleted member 10676
D
Guest
Speaking of AAU Kingpins --
[FONT="]Mac Irvin Fire @TheMacIrvinFire 3hours ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Illinois should be rank in the Top 10 every year! #LetsGoIllini #GetAGoodCoach[/FONT]
My current list after continuing to research and think about it is as follows (only including candidates I consider plausible, so no Monty anymore, no Sean Miller, Hoiberg, et al):
1. Archie Miller
2. Kevin Keatts
3. Larry Krystkowiak
4. Scott Drew
5. Cuonzo Martin
6. Eric Musselman
7. Will Wade
8. Dan Muller
9. Tim Jankovic
10. Kenny Payne
11. Dan Hurley
I'd love any of the first three. I'd have concerns about 4-7, but could talk myself into it. I'd be disappointed with Muller or Jankovic, but open to the idea. Payne and Hurley would be hard to feel good about, but I'd still be able to muster hope. I'm sure I'm missing a few obvious candidates. Currently feeling like Keatts and Archie may end up at NC State and Indiana, Krystkowiak will either stay put or stay out west, Cuonzo will go to Mizzou, and we'll end up with Will Wade, Muller, or maybe (just maybe) Kenny Payne (though I'd expect him to take an upper level mid-major job - maybe VCU if Wade leaves). Just baseless hunches.
1. Archie Miller
2. Kevin Keatts
3. Larry Krystkowiak
4. Scott Drew
5. Cuonzo Martin
6. Eric Musselman
7. Will Wade
8. Dan Muller
9. Tim Jankovic
10. Kenny Payne
11. Dan Hurley
I'd love any of the first three. I'd have concerns about 4-7, but could talk myself into it. I'd be disappointed with Muller or Jankovic, but open to the idea. Payne and Hurley would be hard to feel good about, but I'd still be able to muster hope. I'm sure I'm missing a few obvious candidates. Currently feeling like Keatts and Archie may end up at NC State and Indiana, Krystkowiak will either stay put or stay out west, Cuonzo will go to Mizzou, and we'll end up with Will Wade, Muller, or maybe (just maybe) Kenny Payne (though I'd expect him to take an upper level mid-major job - maybe VCU if Wade leaves). Just baseless hunches.
Mike
C-U Townie
Guessing Irvin would not be squeeky clean but would be awesome imo at recruiting Chicago...
Totally agree with DRWILLINI. I'm a long time Illini fan. When Krueger came here, he received absolutely no love from the media, especially the Chicago media. The charge was led by Bernie Lincicome (Tribune) who was carrying water for all his Florida sportswriter friends who felt jilted by Krueger leaving Florida ("How dare him").
I believe that, despite all his success and progress, Lon grew tired of the constant pounding by Lincicome and others. [Note: Boys and girls, in those days, the Illini basketball team received a lot more coverage from the Chicago media.] I believe that is the ONLY reason Lon sent his resume to the Atlanta Hawks probably just as a long shot. Lon Krueger was the most surprised guy on the planet when he received an extremely generous offer to coach Atlanta.
I believe would have stayed and thrived at Illinois if not for the unfriendly press. Just my take.
KrushCow31
Former Krush Cow
- Chicago, IL
Martin is the Bruce Weber version of John Groce. It's like combining our last two coaches into a super coach who still isn't that good. If he's our coach consider me officially not interested in next season.
Feels like every time Illinois has a job opening AAU coaches come up. Can't imagine how big of a disaster that would be.
The rift between Kruger and Chicago had nothing to do with Bernie Lincicome sticking up for the Florida sportswriters. At the time, Florida sportswriters couldn't care less for the Florida basketball program, let alone care enough to carry a vendetta across the nation for Kruger leaving. Florida basketball was really nothing, despite having reached a surprise F4.
The rift started with Chicago, mainly all the powerful HS and AAU programs, boycotting UI for not promoting Jimmy Collins. Kruger ended up unfortunately at the wrong place at the wrong time (with respect to the Chicago feud). Chicago directed all their displeasure against UI towards Kruger and their menace was further exacerbated by DePaul and Pat Kennedy, who saw that as an opportunity to take advantage in recruiting (and also revenge against his old nemesis at Florida - a continuation of their FSU-Florida rivalry).
Kruger handled it very well, and took advantage of the Peoria and downstate talent (e.g., Brian Cook) but he understood that he was in the middle of an unfair situation, which was not going to get better. Atlanta actually offered the job to Izzo first, who turned it down and recommended Kruger. It was a great opportunity for Kruger and, realistically, it was a great opportunity for UI to bring someone like Self and patch up relationships with Chicago.
Kruger did a great job at UI, but long term, I do not believe it was going to work. It was a bad and unfair situation that was not getting better.
Illinifan533
- Normal, Illinois
It was one of the hosts (didn't stay tuned long enough to catch the name) and no further discussion was had on the subject.
It wouldn't hurt to be on MIF's good side, but they will turn most big recruitments into a giant hype train fiasco no matter who is coaching the Illini.
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