The Illinois Coaching Search

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#1,203      
Preach.

It's generally a terrible idea.

In general I agree with you. In our specific situation, I think these guys (and I am exaggerating for effect, I would actually be thrilled with one or two of these guys on our staff) would be an invaluable connection to the past glory that is rapidly fading from a lot of folks view, in addition to recruiting. We have a narrow window here to build upon that past glory. I am very optimistic about the appeal of our job, but I am realistic enough to appreciate that the window is closing.

My specific dream depends on Lon Krueger as the head coach. I think Lon is such a fantastic X/O game coach and coach 'em up practice coach that we could support a cast like this. Would not want this with anybody else.
 
#1,205      

mattcoldagelli

The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
In general I agree with you. In our specific situation, I think these guys (and I am exaggerating for effect, I would actually be thrilled with one or two of these guys on our staff) would be an invaluable connection to the past glory that is rapidly fading from a lot of folks view

But this is the exact reason why fans always want it and also the exact reason why it is a really bad idea.

Hire coaches to coach you to future glory, not as extravagantly paid souvenirs of what we once had.
 
#1,206      
But this is the exact reason why fans always want it and also the exact reason why it is a really bad idea.

Hire coaches to coach you to future glory, not as extravagantly paid souvenirs of what we once had.

And the recruiting aspect....

You know what teenagers LOVE? Old people telling them how much better it was back when.

I've never watched Deon Thomas play a basketball game and I'm DOUBLE the age of these kids we're recruiting.
 
#1,207      

KrushCow31

Former Krush Cow
Chicago, IL
And the recruiting aspect....

You know what teenagers LOVE? Old people telling them how much better it was back when.

I've never watched Deon Thomas play a basketball game and I'm DOUBLE the age of these kids we're recruiting.

+100. I'm 26 and I don't think I'd be that giddy about meeting Deon Thomas or Gill or any of them. Honestly probably couldn't pick them out of a crowd. I just didn't watch them, and I don't relate. So if I feel that way and I'm 26, I can't imagine how little a 16 or 17 year old cares. Just a cold hard truth.
 
#1,208      
My updated list FWIW

1. Archie Miller

2. Keatts

3. Cuonzo/Capel

4. Musselman- Still bothered by shirtless ordeal, but love his coaching chops

5. Kenny Payne- New entrant on my board. Obviously recruiting is the draw here, but one of those coach Cal Assistants is going to hit it big
 
#1,209      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
In general I agree with you. In our specific situation, I think these guys (and I am exaggerating for effect, I would actually be thrilled with one or two of these guys on our staff) would be an invaluable connection to the past glory that is rapidly fading from a lot of folks view, in addition to recruiting. We have a narrow window here to build upon that past glory. I am very optimistic about the appeal of our job, but I am realistic enough to appreciate that the window is closing.

My specific dream depends on Lon Krueger as the head coach. I think Lon is such a fantastic X/O game coach and coach 'em up practice coach that we could support a cast like this. Would not want this with anybody else.

I read the words you're putting down, but I don't understand a bit of this. Dwelling in the past is counterproductive. Build for the future, and Lon Kruger is not the future. And Kenny Battle sure as heck isn't the future.
 
#1,211      
+100. I'm 26 and I don't think I'd be that giddy about meeting Deon Thomas or Gill or any of them. Honestly probably couldn't pick them out of a crowd. I just didn't watch them, and I don't relate. So if I feel that way and I'm 26, I can't imagine how little a 16 or 17 year old cares. Just a cold hard truth.

I'd be pretty geeked to meet them as an Illini fan and alum. And any basketball person would respect what those guys accomplished in the game, especially guys like Gill and Nick Anderson and Ken Norman who had substantial NBA careers.

But in terms of where I am going do put my work in and craft my talents as a player, I don't give a damn about the old days, I want to know where a program can take ME. Those guys got there because Lou Henson was a great leader of men who came by his coaching ability the hard way, not because the program owed him something.
 
#1,212      
#1,214      
Mizzou just paid 80k for a search firm. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for them to hire someone. I think Whitman has it right that he isn't using a search firm and will end up with the better coach.
 
#1,215      
Mizzou just paid 80k for a search firm. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for them to hire someone. I think Whitman has it right that he isn't using a search firm and will end up with the better coach.

To search firm or not to search firm is much ado about very little.

The anti-MT narrative about search firms was dumb, but the "oh my god, you'll end up in jail without a search firm as a middleman!" nonsense Dan Bernstein was spouting today was just as dumb.
 
#1,217      
Picking coaches is a world class crapshoot.

John Wooden went to UCLA and in his first 14 years averaged over 9 losses per year. He went to a much smaller "dance" 4 times and never got out of the regional. Solid but its not getting you into the hall of fame.

His last 12 years, he lost a total of 23 games, 9 of which were in his last 2 years. What happened?

Some of it was cultural, some of it was the tremendous population explosion of California, some of it was recruiting nationally, some of it was shady alums, but some of it had to be growing as a coach. He figured it out. He was 37 when he got the UCLA job but didn't enjoy national success until he was 51.

We are looking at a number of coaches that are in their 4-5-6th year of being a head coach. Some of them are just getting to the "start" of their most productive years and some of them are looking at their best years in the rear view mirror.

JW talks about the right fit. CMartin perplexes me. I wished he had had a better record this year at Cal. but nobody in the eastern half of the US really knows what Pac 12 basketball is like this year or any other year, we never see it.

CM will keep our recruits intact, as a black head coach every public league school in Chicago will happily welcome him, he will recruit, we will have talent. You know Tracy Webster will come back with him. Is he reaching his most productive years or has he leveled off.

I trust but don't envy JW but with what he has said he is willing to spend, we are going to get an upgrade.

I do know I am going to be very carefully watching how far the Pac 12 teams advance
 
#1,218      
CM will keep our recruits intact, as a black head coach every public league school in Chicago will happily welcome him, he will recruit, we will have talent. You know Tracy Webster will come back with him. Is he reaching his most productive years or has he leveled off.

I trust but don't envy JW but with what he has said he is willing to spend, we are going to get an upgrade.

I do know I am going to be very carefully watching how far the Pac 12 teams advance

Martin won't necessarily waltz into CPL and dominate. It is more complex than that. You are correct however in that a Martin +Webster team at U of I will be a recruiting force not likely seen since Jimmy Collins and Henson ran the State
 
#1,219      

The Worm

CHICAGO, IL
Just putting this out there ...but what if the Woj report was intentionally planted and Monty is actually the guy. Not only do we get the biggest basketball reporter there is talking about our program, but we come up aces by getting the "hottest NBA coaching prospect" to lead the Illini.

Most likely an accurate report from Woj, but that would be another perfectly played hand by Whitman.

The 7 day timeline was also curious given Josh himself said he's not one to "paint himself into a corner" but he would potentially be doing just that given the right candidate could realistically still be playing in the tournament.
 
#1,220      
Just putting this out there ...but what if the Woj report was intentionally planted and Monty is actually the guy. Not only do we get the biggest basketball reporter there is talking about our program, but we come up aces by getting the "hottest NBA coaching prospect" to lead the Illini.

Most likely an accurate report from Woj, but that would be another perfectly played hand by Whitman.

The 7 day timeline was also curious given Josh himself said he's not one to "paint himself into a corner" but he would potentially be doing just that given the right candidate could realistically still be playing in the tournament.

The Woj story came 100% from a Williams leak.
 
#1,221      
I like it he would be my #2 guy after Marshall but I'd take him right now he is an excellent coach and he would have us in the top 4 B1G almost every year. Not sure about his recruiting ability but this guy can flat out coach players.

Do we really think a coach would pass up a chance to coach at his alma matter in a great conference in exchange to coach a flailing Illinois team?

I want us to find the best person possible, but I can't think of a scenario where Miller is coming here.
 
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#1,222      

Jkat00

Champaign, IL
Mizzou just paid 80k for a search firm. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for them to hire someone. I think Whitman has it right that he isn't using a search firm and will end up with the better coach.

Parker Executive Search. :clappy::clappy::clappy::clappy::clappy::clappy:
 
#1,223      
WhateverForThree had promised an impeccable pro HC experience ed person.

I think Josh has his guy already.

I have to agree with you. In my opinion the March 20th deadline for application submissions seals it. The language does say "full consideration" so there is an out, but it seems like they're going through the process to expedite a hire.

We all know the search process really started at least a month ago.
 
#1,224      

The Worm

CHICAGO, IL
The Woj story came 100% from a Williams leak.



Not saying it didn't. It's likely Woj heard the rumors and inquired, and the story is totally legit.

I'm just saying, I wouldn't put it past Josh to throw everyone off the heavily rumored scent (with the help of his new coach) in order to make a Lovie-esque splash with his announcement.


Ok, done with my conspiracy theory. :thumb:
 
#1,225      
Not saying it didn't. It's likely Woj heard the rumors and inquired, and the story is totally legit.

I'm just saying, I wouldn't put it past Josh to throw everyone off the heavily rumored scent (with the help of his new coach) in order to make a Lovie-esque splash with his announcement.


Ok, done with my conspiracy theory. :thumb:

Don't forget to include the cancelled flights in your theory.
 
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