It's amazing how we're just gonna pretend all the stuff that happened didn't happen. Maybe Whitman really is magic.
The Illinois Coaching Search
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It's amazing how we're just gonna pretend all the stuff that happened didn't happen. Maybe Whitman really is magic.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I know it might be seen as a "longshot" to some, but I'm 110% on the Archie Miller train. It just seems like that hire would check every single box of rejuvinating this program both in the immediate and long terms. He seems like the less high maintenance, higher upside Marshall to me, would absolutely be a splash of a hire, he's young, I think he'd kill it in recruiting, he's a fantastic coach ... hoping and praying he picks up the phone and loves what JW is selling him on. Even taking my Illini fandom out of it, the Big Ten might just be ripe for the picking in the next decade, and I hope Archie sees things like that, because he could really do big things at Illinois.
Rumored that Archie Miller is heading to NC State. Here's a link to a pic of his wife and nephew. They are giving the wolf pac hand sign. Ugh. He is my # 1 choice to lead the Illini. here's the link:
https://twitter.com/BballWife4Life/status/833508256874065920/photo/1
https://twitter.com/BballWife4Life/status/833508256874065920/photo/1
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I'm not pretending anything "didn't happen". But when you coach a team of 18-22 year olds for five seasons, kids make mistakes. In my mind the only incident you could blame Groce for was Darius Paul. And his mistake there was simply giving the kid (from a great family, it should be noted) another chance.
Serious Late
- Peoria via Denver via Ann Arbor via Albuquerque vi
But one random message board post has changed your mind.
You picked the wrong week to quit drinking my friend, and I know because I did too.
If he is going to be seriously discussed on here as a potential candidate and not a "we should hire this guy!" type post, then I am willing to consider the possibility. That is not to say that I believe he will take the job, or isn't just using us to garner a raise at Va Tech, or some other consideration.
I am at the point where I am prepared to ride the wave of every rumor being considered given the source though. That is half the fun of of all this, don't be trying to take that from me.
And I quit drinking almost 3 weeks ago, so the shakes are starting to wear off finally. :thumb:
The Groce revisionist history has begun.
It shouldn't even be controversial to say that Groce wasn't a great leader of young men.
Was Williams the top choice and did he have an offer? He was asked by the NBA writer about his interest, and he said he did not have interest in leaving the NBA. That was said before the UI job was even open. Williams' reasons were a lot different, too.
Not sure it was a public rejection in the manner of Smart who did have the offer and was the top choice or second choice and turned us down publicly. Whitman has been much closer to the vest about his top choices. Whitman is smarter than to offer someone who is going to turn it down. imo
I don't care about the past AD anymore. Let's see what Whitman can do.
Future Walk-On
- Peoria, IL
I wanted Gregg Marshall 5 years ago when it might have been feasible...
How could we possibly get him now.
How could we possibly get him now.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
He was fine, as these things go. He was not the "model of leadership" Whitman described.
A really, really good coach that doesn't cheat is a good starting point. I'd like to think that a coach could clean up the off-the-court behavior.
Greg Marshall's best ranked recruit, Landry Shamet. A top 100 recruit who won MVC freshman of the year this year.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes, the evidence was on the court.
Rumored? Because of this?
Archie Miller is an NC State alum. Guessing that has something to do with the gesture. Assuming his nephew may also attend.
That symbol is also used by fans of the Arizona Wildcats. I believe Archie's brother coaches at Arizona, and this would be Sean Miller's son in the picture right? Looking a bit hard into nothing here.
PhillyIllini
- Los Angeles
Fake news.
Ah, the joys of a coaching search.
I know specifics. We can do better. I hope our university is not a win at all costs. Please move on...
In terms of how the coaching change will affect perception of the Illini brand, I think there are a few distinct tiers. This is different than who's most likely to succeed long-term, but there could be a strong correlation (primarily based on how media coverage affects recruiting). Potentially realistic candidates only.
Tier 1: Brand Enhancement/Resurrection. If we hire any of these guys, the narrative in the national press and among the fan base will essentially be, "Illinois is back!" We were one of the top programs in the country and one of the most prestigious team brands for the better part of 30 years. Getting one of these guys would instantly make us relevant again everywhere.
-Tony Bennett
-Scott Drew
-Buzz Williams
-Gregg Marshall
-Archie Miller
Tier 2: "Seems about right." These are the guys who will seem to casual fans around the country like reasonable fits. People will say, "hey, maybe Illinois is back on track. They used to be pretty good. (So and so) can coach - should be an improvement." Any of these hires would result in an uptick in general interest and a slight brand bounce.
-Cuonzo Martin
-Larry Krystkowiak
-Kevin Keatts
-Bryce Drew
-Dan Hurley
-Will Wade
-Eric Musselman
-Tim Janokovic
Tier 3: Brand Diminution. These hires, even if they succeeded in the long term, would face an uphill climb in terms of public perception. The inevitable narrative (at least from some quarters) would be, "wow, Illinois has really fallen on hard times. They can't attract a good coach. Program is a train wreck." These candidates still offer some upside and there would be a wait-and-see counternarrative, but it would be a tough sell and result in a decline in public brand evaluation consensus.
-Dan Muller
-Pat Kelsey
-Norm Roberts
-Kenny Payne (who could actually step in and kill it instantly - it would just be an out-of-the-box hire)
Thoughts? I don't think we'll make it past Tier 2. I think lots of us would consider taking Dan Muller or Kenny Payne over Dan Hurley or Tim Jankovic, but in terms of national perception among casual NCAA fans it wouldn't make much sense.
Tier 1: Brand Enhancement/Resurrection. If we hire any of these guys, the narrative in the national press and among the fan base will essentially be, "Illinois is back!" We were one of the top programs in the country and one of the most prestigious team brands for the better part of 30 years. Getting one of these guys would instantly make us relevant again everywhere.
-Tony Bennett
-Scott Drew
-Buzz Williams
-Gregg Marshall
-Archie Miller
Tier 2: "Seems about right." These are the guys who will seem to casual fans around the country like reasonable fits. People will say, "hey, maybe Illinois is back on track. They used to be pretty good. (So and so) can coach - should be an improvement." Any of these hires would result in an uptick in general interest and a slight brand bounce.
-Cuonzo Martin
-Larry Krystkowiak
-Kevin Keatts
-Bryce Drew
-Dan Hurley
-Will Wade
-Eric Musselman
-Tim Janokovic
Tier 3: Brand Diminution. These hires, even if they succeeded in the long term, would face an uphill climb in terms of public perception. The inevitable narrative (at least from some quarters) would be, "wow, Illinois has really fallen on hard times. They can't attract a good coach. Program is a train wreck." These candidates still offer some upside and there would be a wait-and-see counternarrative, but it would be a tough sell and result in a decline in public brand evaluation consensus.
-Dan Muller
-Pat Kelsey
-Norm Roberts
-Kenny Payne (who could actually step in and kill it instantly - it would just be an out-of-the-box hire)
Thoughts? I don't think we'll make it past Tier 2. I think lots of us would consider taking Dan Muller or Kenny Payne over Dan Hurley or Tim Jankovic, but in terms of national perception among casual NCAA fans it wouldn't make much sense.
I am all for Buzz Williams in terms of his coaching, he would be a great choice. The possible issues at Marquette, that certainly could be an area that he has taken care of and grown as a coach. We have not heard at this time at VT of off the court issues so I am willing to hope that has changed. My biggest concern is the quick leave at Marquette which would be followed by a 3 year stint at VT before leaving again. I want a coach that wants to be here long term so that is an issue that would need to be addressed.
The Worm
- CHICAGO, IL
Hasn't it been hinted at that Archie has no interest in the Illinois job, anyways? I think this is one candidate we should forget about unless something of substance emerges that tells us otherwise.
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