Careful and lengthy study of the way the coaching market works as well as all the information publicly available strongly suggests an overwhelming likelihood. How about that?
The Illinois Coaching Search
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Careful and lengthy study of the way the coaching market works as well as all the information publicly available strongly suggests an overwhelming likelihood. How about that?
years before that he had two dud classes. There were other years with lower tiered 4 stars and they were solid, but let's not act like Bennet's all of a sudden a recruiting phenom. He's done solid but that's with time.
PhillyIllini
- Los Angeles
And he still won with "lousy recruiting classes"
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
B. Donovan?
Illini34
- Champaign, IL
Two final four appearances and a runner up with over 400 career wins and he's one of the worst college coaches??:hand:
Rick George. Cliff Alexander. Kevin Sumlin.
Insiders make money by telling you all your dreams are right around the corner.
Gottlieb is reacting to the public reports that we are making a massive offer. And he and other national writers will also have quippy tweets when that offer is turned down.
It's what he did after the Final Fours that's way more telling
You're so positive. Everything you say is positive. How can you be such a pollyanna?!
Since someone's gotta be skeptical about Whitman I'll put it like this. The lovie hire was awesome. Flat out legendary; however it wasn't during the actual coaching carousel period. We were one of the few programs making such a blockbuster move at the time. Secondly, it was through a football relationship he had developed from - playing football.
The basketball world is a different beast. From youth all the way to the pros. The unwritten rules are different and the way relationships are managed is different. I actually see this period as Whitman's first test in unchartered waters. I hope he succeeds even if it means him selecting Bennett and me coming here to tell everyone how proud I am to be wrong.
Whether Cuonzo succeeds long term at Mizzou as far as record could be debated, but him recruiting close to Illinois will have an impact. It definitely increases recruiting competition, no doubt about that. If recruiting was not very high on some posters' priorities, fine. But history proves that we need a significant upgrade to become consistently competitive in B1G and national level.
I have always claimed that to be successful at Illinois, consistently, we need a great recruiter. It is an absolutely necessary condition, though not sufficient. The hiring of Cuonzo at Mizzou turns up the dial a few notches as far as need to counter with a very dynamic recruiter, unless of course someone believes that his hiring will have no effect, or that recruiting is not all that important.
Whitman seems to be a pretty savvy businessman........
is it possible that he is using social media to his advantage to keep focus off of his true candidate/candidates? Could he be the one leaking about a possible big offer to Tony Bennett....knowing that people will focus on that info?
He knows it is hard to keep information secret with social media......could he be trying to use that to his advantage?
Just a thought.
is it possible that he is using social media to his advantage to keep focus off of his true candidate/candidates? Could he be the one leaking about a possible big offer to Tony Bennett....knowing that people will focus on that info?
He knows it is hard to keep information secret with social media......could he be trying to use that to his advantage?
Just a thought.
Getting the fans excited about a very good coach and making it look like Illinois is missing out on a top target when he declines isn't very smart.
We were the only program making that kind of move at that sort of time ever.
We may do very well in this process, but I hope people are starting to realize how totally different this is. A fact you would have learned, among other ways, by listening to the words out of Whitman's mouth.
Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
I doubt he all of a sudden quits coaching in the NBA to accept the Illini job. Not happening.
Illini34
- Champaign, IL
Fair enough but he's definitely not the worst college coach out there. I can think of far worse
LOL you're right. I didn't feel like doing a fact check so I left it broad. But i agree with your points.
No no no. The actual players are different, but the media reporting everything as sunshine and miracles are the exact same people.
It was also at Virginia. Not a big sports school and he was competing with the Tobacco road powers and really all the big time programs on the east coast. Should be easier to recruit to Illinois. He is also the type to recruit guys to his play style, not just based on stars.
Current NBA guys aren't very realistic, especially a guy like Donovan where you'd have to wait another month for to become available.
PostersLastStand
- Wayne County, IL
It was the 2009 season the 38-33 loss at Penn State. In all fairness, most weren't scores in the 30's or 40's, I suppose I just felt like it. I liked Bruce Weber when he was the underdog. The first 2 years the offense was as fun to watch as any during that time. I shan't speak of this again.
Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
Yep. Only school that has a shot with Billy is Indiana
Of course, and even if he was available (i.e., if the NBA season had ended) I doubt he would choose Illinois. We are not exactly Kentucky.
Whitman seems to be a pretty savvy businessman........
Since he would never get an offer, he wouldn't have anything to decline. Maybe that 2-3 days of focus by media helps him close the deal on his true target.
Since he would never get an offer, he wouldn't have anything to decline. Maybe that 2-3 days of focus by media helps him close the deal on his true target.
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