The Illinois Coaching Search
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Odd that it was specific to Illinois and no Mizzou mention
I think Cuonzo really wants our job and prefers it to Mizzou.
I agree. But each day that goes by, I am less interested in him for this job. Three weeks ago, he'd have been acceptable to me behind Keatts and Musselman (and the long shots). Now he's much further down the list. He's far enough down the list that I hope we don't go there.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
Well duh.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Who wouldn't?
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I would hope so. It's a lot better job than Mizzou.
Hiring Cuonzo would test the theory that getting a lot of talent is enough to win at Illinois. I think he would keep the current class intact and have a great shot at Mark Smith. I'd also like his chances with Ayo and other Chicago kids.
Not disagreeing, but just wondering why you feel that way? Is it just that you think we can get better? Or you hear more about him? The fact that he got so many good recruits to go out there, makes you think he could do much better here with the talent pool being deeper.
One question I have for everyone on this board...
Would you want someone who operates heavily in the grey if it meant we got good recruits and won games...or does integrity really matter to you?
I think this is a generational thing honestly.
It is a student run publication, so its not surprising to me that the person who wrote it didn't do very extensive digging on the subject. The title of the article also claims that he is already rumored to be leaving for us, which we all know not to be true - at least yet.
The Cal collapse bothers me. In isolation, it would not be a huge deal. But he had long stretches of losses at Tennessee also. It reminds me of the guy we just fired. I have no doubt that Cuonzo can recruit. But what appear to be regular problems with focus of his teams bothers me. I think he would marginally improve the program.
As to your second question, you'll have to define gray to me. I get it in concept. But what I think you really mean isn't "gray" but actively avoiding the established rules. I'd prefer to not go there. Of course, I also don't believe that Groce didn't break the rules. I believe that all D1 coaches break the rules. For me to answer, you'd need to give me the specific rules that will be broken for me to tell you what I think of that.
I would have loved that hire last year. Unfortunately, I doubt he'll leave Vandy after one year.
To answer your question I am perfectly fine operating in the grey for wins. I think everyone does to one extent or another. Everyone cheats but us, is a tired notion and I cringe when posters whine about other schools "cheating."
I'm Gen X for purposes of your Generational hypothesis.
Right, but you could conceive of a scenario where he eagerly jumps to Mizzou as an almost-as-good option, because he really wants to get out of Cal.
Will Mizzou wait for him? Will Cal? Cal fired Sonny Dykes in large part because they were sick of him pursuing other jobs.
It's an interesting situation.
Deleted member 8213
D
Guest
For me personally, I am steadfastly in favor of thumbing our nose at the NCAA's nonsense and doing whatever it takes to acquire as much talent as possible. What I am not in favor of is covering up or enabling criminal behavior by players which harms and endangers the campus community.
But the real world answer to your question is that once a coach is ours, our fanbase will defend him to the absolute death regardless of the strength of evidence against him so long as we're winning or there is a reasonable expectation of future winning. That's not unique to us, that's every school in the country. That's how tribalism and collective psychology works.
I was never in the Cuonzo camp but there seems to be some smoke blowing from that direction. I believe that a coaching staff needs to compliment each other in terms of strengths and weaknesses. I do not think it is any secret that Cuonzo's weakness is his x and o's. Who would be the top-shelf assistant that would have to be hired to make the Cuonzo hire work?
Illiniwek06
- N of I-80
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Is Martin an upgrade over Groce...yes. Is he the person I want leading our basketball program for the next 5 years...no. Martin will likely do a bit better than Groce, meaning he will be good enough not to get fired, but will have us in the basketball purgatory of just good enough
I think Cuonzo is putting all the info out there. I don't think he is a candidate.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I don't think it's a generational thing. I assume you mean that the older crowd values integrity more. I'm in the younger crowd (sub-30), and have already shared my worry about hiring a Scott Drew/Buzz Williams type. I think either would get players and win games. But given the amount of money we have to offer, I'd rather get a high integrity guy. I think this program can win the right way.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
I think that was pretty obvious given your username and picture.
Hard pass on Cuonzo. People's biggest gripe against Groce was his lack of in-game coaching ability. Don't really feel like going through that again.
Thanks all valid points btw....mine were in regards to perception outside of the fanbase and the general area. Of course, all locals think their program is as good if not better than another, hell look at some of our fanbase, most are still clinging to fact that we are Top 10-15-20 whomever you talk to.
The point is NC State HAS to compete against the UNC and Dukes and although they may do great from time to time, it really isn't ideal for long term, sustained sucess'
Illinois has really no-one to compete against ESPECIALLY in recruiting local and Chicago IF they had a name coach that has the cache to keep recruits home...when that happens as proven in past, the ILLINI are hard to compete against....simply proven through the years.
I honestly think Miller is a strong possibility for us...with Matta staying.
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