We did not fire a coach on a hot seat to throw a golden parachute to another coach on a hot seat.
Yeah I would hate to see him at Illinois, simply because I've heard he hates recruiting.
We did not fire a coach on a hot seat to throw a golden parachute to another coach on a hot seat.
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.
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.
Five days makes a huge difference in a coaching search at this time of year.
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.
Doesn't Altman have some issues in terms of integrity?? He doesn't seem to be a Whitman-type hire
I'm not sure. Would be interested to hear about it though.
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.
Digging through bigger name coaches that might have some interest (outside the box edition):
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.
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.
Whitman's comments yesterday about there not necessarily being qualitative difference between $2.5 and $4.5m coach tells me that he certainly isn't ruling out getting someone whom he'll pay $2.5
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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.
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.
Also, I'm puzzled why more aren't a fan of Steve Prohm at Iowa 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.