The Illinois Coaching Staff Search

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#26      
I read that only 53 players traveled to Happy Valley and only 18 on defense. There was no way we were gonna win that game, but the fellas did their best and made the 1st quarter fun to watch. Hang in there, Illini Nation. Things will get better with BB at the helm. We have nowhere to go but up.
 
#27      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Just listened to the BU pre game Rutgers presser and Brad was asked if he knew and had talked to BB....he said yes he had talked to BB already and he already knew BB from their days at KSU...BB was part of the staff of coach Bill Snyder and all coaches on Snyder's staff were good at teaching and coaching players...BU said Bb told him how excited he was to be the new FB coach at illinois and Brad could tell by the way BB talked that he was committed to turning the program around...
I am starting to get excited myself, at the possibilities of improved play, such as actually tackling the opponent and playing some smash mouth football and paying back some of the B1G teams for past losses....illini are a lot better than what we have seen in the last 10-15 years and I'm ready for turning the page and getting to the point of expecting seasons of 8-9-10 wins and bowl games...
Do it BB !!!!!!!
 
#29      

JJE

Bethalto, IL
It's hard to say who should be let go or not since we aren't there every day, but I think BB should consider keeping Patterson even if it's in a different role. He has established relationships in St. Louis and it sounds like the players like him. Plus all the things we suspected about Lovie being MIA in recruiting (now being confirmed) makes me wonder if Cory might be more successful with someone backing him up. Other than that I think you let everyone else go except maybe Lou and other non coaching roles that i have no idea about. I think keeping Cory would be low risk, if nothing else you keep him from going to Mizzou and recruiting against him.
 
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#30      
Hoping Bielema finds a spot for J Leman as LB'ers coach. As for current staff, I'd keep Lou around based on his success with Zook. Everyone else can go. I don't think Patterson brings anything, and Lig only looks good because they signed Blake Hayes. The fact we were having a backup kicker fair catch punts is enough reason to not bring him back. That should never happen given the fast small guys we had on the team like Cumby and others.
 
#31      

bigmike

Colorado Springs
This is one of the most ill informed hot takes I've seen. Lou is a legend.
Ill informed hot take! Is doesn’t matter if you are a legend. There is a time when change is needed. Where are the results from this legend? Our guys out there get physically manhandled and the lack of speed development is clear. I see guys running with awful mechanics all over the field. Yesterday when one of the penn state receivers was running down the sideline for a touchdown, I saw three defenders getting blown by. All three were over striding and had excessive back side mechanics
 
#32      

Deleted member 747671

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Hoping Bielema finds a spot for J Leman as LB'ers coach. As for current staff, I'd keep Lou around based on his success with Zook. Everyone else can go. I don't think Patterson brings anything, and Lig only looks good because they signed Blake Hayes. The fact we were having a backup kicker fair catch punts is enough reason to not bring him back. That should never happen given the fast small guys we had on the team like Cumby and others.
I want J as much as anyone but bielema sure sounds set on a 3-4/multiple style defense. I’m sure j has experience in many systems due to his time in nfl camps, but I bet bb brings in guys specifically for that scheme.
 
#33      
It’s hilarious how self-important some of these high school coaches are.
I've dealt with a lot of HS coaches over the years and most of them have huge egos and think they more important than they are. Many also treat others in the community as if they are lower than them. Just because they are "coaches". I'm so sick of local high school sports because of this.
 
#34      
Since BB did have to game plan for j his first 2 yrs as head coach at WI I'm sure he remembers him
 
#35      
I agree with the new coach's approach to recruiting Illinois. The difficulty with this approach in the past has not been how to evaluate the major schools in the state but assessment of talent in mid to smaller schools. I like the approach of involvement with HS coaches and being candid about a player's talent level. Additionally, should BB take the next step and provide advice to the coach/player what needs to be done to get that athlete to the D-1 level of play? Moreover, would some coaches buy into and implement the IL style of play? Could be a beneficial two way street.
 
#36      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Anybody have any guesses on OC options??
Matt Canada was Bielema's last OC with Wisconsin, hired when Paul Chryst took the HC job at Pitt. He's QB coach of the Steelers right now, and was Maryland's interim HC after DJ Durkin got fired.

Jim Chaney was Bielema's first OC at Arkansas, and eventually left to be on Pat Narduzzi's first staff at Pitt. He's currently OC at Tennessee, though it sure sounds like they are trying to find a way to fire Jeremy Pruitt, so he could potentially be available. Tough to see how his offense would fit with IW but he's a great college OC.

Dan Enos was Bielema's OC for his last 3 Arkansas years. Left a HC gig at Central Michigan to take the job. Currently AHC/RB at Cincinnati. Good recruiter, well regarded, he'd be an obvious choice. If he's not in the picture then Bielema's really serious about changing his offense.

Barry Lunney Jr was Bielema's TE coach for his whole tenure at Arkansas, kept from the previous staff, and then retained under Chad Morris post-Bielema, adding ST coordinator responsibilities. Left this year to join fellow Morris assistant Jeff Traylor's first staff at UTSA as AHC/OC/QB. Arkansas native and alum. Not a huge name or resume, but a well regarded young guy who is connected to Bielema but also runs a more modern spread offense. UTSA was a much improved team this year, and very nearly upset BYU in Provo.

Derek Dooley is on the 2020 Giants staff with Bielema. Before that he was Mizzou's OC in 2018-19. Dynamite in 18 with Drew Lock, less so the second year and Barry Odom got fired. Former HC at La Tech and Tennessee of course.

I think that about does it in terms of college OC's with recent connections to Bielema.
 
#37      
Hoping Bielema finds a spot for J Leman as LB'ers coach. As for current staff, I'd keep Lou around based on his success with Zook. Everyone else can go. I don't think Patterson brings anything, and Lig only looks good because they signed Blake Hayes. The fact we were having a backup kicker fair catch punts is enough reason to not bring him back. That should never happen given the fast small guys we had on the team like Cumby and others.
J has chosen broadcasting and real estate as his professions....I'm assuming if he wanted to coach he's had plenty of time and chances to start down that path and hasn't done it.
 
#38      

Deleted member 747660

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I agree with the new coach's approach to recruiting Illinois. The difficulty with this approach in the past has not been how to evaluate the major schools in the state but assessment of talent in mid to smaller schools. I like the approach of involvement with HS coaches and being candid about a player's talent level. Additionally, should BB take the next step and provide advice to the coach/player what needs to be done to get that athlete to the D-1 level of play? Moreover, would some coaches buy into and implement the IL style of play? Could be a beneficial two way street.
IMO high schools shouldn't run one particular system in fb or bb. A coach should be able to adjust his style to what his players abilities are. Especially in the smaller schools.
 
#39      

Deleted member 747671

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Matt Canada was Bielema's last OC with Wisconsin, hired when Paul Chryst took the HC job at Pitt. He's QB coach of the Steelers right now, and was Maryland's interim HC after DJ Durkin got fired.

Jim Chaney was Bielema's first OC at Arkansas, and eventually left to be on Pat Narduzzi's first staff at Pitt. He's currently OC at Tennessee, though it sure sounds like they are trying to find a way to fire Jeremy Pruitt, so he could potentially be available. Tough to see how his offense would fit with IW but he's a great college OC.

Dan Enos was Bielema's OC for his last 3 Arkansas years. Left a HC gig at Central Michigan to take the job. Currently AHC/RB at Cincinnati. Good recruiter, well regarded, he'd be an obvious choice. If he's not in the picture then Bielema's really serious about changing his offense.

Barry Lunney Jr was Bielema's TE coach for his whole tenure at Arkansas, kept from the previous staff, and then retained under Chad Morris post-Bielema, adding ST coordinator responsibilities. Left this year to join fellow Morris assistant Jeff Traylor's first staff at UTSA as AHC/OC/QB. Arkansas native and alum. Not a huge name or resume, but a well regarded young guy who is connected to Bielema but also runs a more modern spread offense. UTSA was a much improved team this year, and very nearly upset BYU in Provo.

Derek Dooley is on the 2020 Giants staff with Bielema. Before that he was Mizzou's OC in 2018-19. Dynamite in 18 with Drew Lock, less so the second year and Barry Odom got fired. Former HC at La Tech and Tennessee of course.

I think that about does it in terms of college OC's with recent connections to Bielema.
I’m guessing you named our next oc in that list. Most of those guys aren’t really Wisconsin smash mouth power running guys, at least based on the offenses they’ve ran or been around lately. I think it’ll be someone he’s familiar with but running a more “modern” offense.
 
#40      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Hoping Bielema finds a spot for J Leman as LB'ers coach. As for current staff, I'd keep Lou around based on his success with Zook. Everyone else can go. I don't think Patterson brings anything, and Lig only looks good because they signed Blake Hayes. The fact we were having a backup kicker fair catch punts is enough reason to not bring him back. That should never happen given the fast small guys we had on the team like Cumby and others.
I don't get this trend of "I hope former player x who has never ever coached" gets hired as a critical position coach. I love seeing Illini guys on the staff, but they need to get the job because they're talented coaches, not because they used to suit up.
 
#41      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Matt Canada was Bielema's last OC with Wisconsin, hired when Paul Chryst took the HC job at Pitt. He's QB coach of the Steelers right now, and was Maryland's interim HC after DJ Durkin got fired.

Jim Chaney was Bielema's first OC at Arkansas, and eventually left to be on Pat Narduzzi's first staff at Pitt. He's currently OC at Tennessee, though it sure sounds like they are trying to find a way to fire Jeremy Pruitt, so he could potentially be available. Tough to see how his offense would fit with IW but he's a great college OC.

Dan Enos was Bielema's OC for his last 3 Arkansas years. Left a HC gig at Central Michigan to take the job. Currently AHC/RB at Cincinnati. Good recruiter, well regarded, he'd be an obvious choice. If he's not in the picture then Bielema's really serious about changing his offense.

Barry Lunney Jr was Bielema's TE coach for his whole tenure at Arkansas, kept from the previous staff, and then retained under Chad Morris post-Bielema, adding ST coordinator responsibilities. Left this year to join fellow Morris assistant Jeff Traylor's first staff at UTSA as AHC/OC/QB. Arkansas native and alum. Not a huge name or resume, but a well regarded young guy who is connected to Bielema but also runs a more modern spread offense. UTSA was a much improved team this year, and very nearly upset BYU in Provo.

Derek Dooley is on the 2020 Giants staff with Bielema. Before that he was Mizzou's OC in 2018-19. Dynamite in 18 with Drew Lock, less so the second year and Barry Odom got fired. Former HC at La Tech and Tennessee of course.

I think that about does it in terms of college OC's with recent connections to Bielema.
I missed one!

George McDonald is NC State's AHC/Co-OC/WR coach. He was also Bielema's WR coach on his first Arkansas staff, before be hired away by Syracuse as OC. He's an Illinois alum (known then as George McDonald-Ashford) and was a teammate of Whitman's. Bielema knows Dave Doeren very well from Wisconsin, and they run an offense that would suit what Bielema is talking about. McDonald is also highly regarded as a recruiter, particularly in Florida.

If we're really dreaming here, Enos and McDonald as co-coordinators would be a home run from a resume and recruiting standpoint. Does Bielema have the juice (not to mention the money) to make that happen? Can it work in terms of who calls the plays?
 
#43      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
the very concept of “co-coordinators on offense” bothers me .
When there is any question of who the playcaller is, you're in trouble. See Chris Beatty and Billy Gonzales (both very highly regarded coaches btw).

When you're using the Co-OC title to lure a more talented staff though, that's just being smart.

It can get a little ridiculous. There are programs where basically the entire staff is titled as a coordinator. That's probably too clever by half.

But in a situation where you have a defensive head coach (Bielema said yesterday he plans on being more hands on with the defense which he regrets not doing at previous stops), having one guy as the lone OC/QB coach probably doesn't account for the totality of the job.
 
#44      
Matt Canada was Bielema's last OC with Wisconsin, hired when Paul Chryst took the HC job at Pitt. He's QB coach of the Steelers right now, and was Maryland's interim HC after DJ Durkin got fired.

Jim Chaney was Bielema's first OC at Arkansas, and eventually left to be on Pat Narduzzi's first staff at Pitt. He's currently OC at Tennessee, though it sure sounds like they are trying to find a way to fire Jeremy Pruitt, so he could potentially be available. Tough to see how his offense would fit with IW but he's a great college OC.

Dan Enos was Bielema's OC for his last 3 Arkansas years. Left a HC gig at Central Michigan to take the job. Currently AHC/RB at Cincinnati. Good recruiter, well regarded, he'd be an obvious choice. If he's not in the picture then Bielema's really serious about changing his offense.

Barry Lunney Jr was Bielema's TE coach for his whole tenure at Arkansas, kept from the previous staff, and then retained under Chad Morris post-Bielema, adding ST coordinator responsibilities. Left this year to join fellow Morris assistant Jeff Traylor's first staff at UTSA as AHC/OC/QB. Arkansas native and alum. Not a huge name or resume, but a well regarded young guy who is connected to Bielema but also runs a more modern spread offense. UTSA was a much improved team this year, and very nearly upset BYU in Provo.

Derek Dooley is on the 2020 Giants staff with Bielema. Before that he was Mizzou's OC in 2018-19. Dynamite in 18 with Drew Lock, less so the second year and Barry Odom got fired. Former HC at La Tech and Tennessee of course.

I think that about does it in terms of college OC's with recent connections to Bielema.
Thx for the leg work on this.
 
#46      
Matt Canada was Bielema's last OC with Wisconsin, hired when Paul Chryst took the HC job at Pitt. He's QB coach of the Steelers right now, and was Maryland's interim HC after DJ Durkin got fired.

Jim Chaney was Bielema's first OC at Arkansas, and eventually left to be on Pat Narduzzi's first staff at Pitt. He's currently OC at Tennessee, though it sure sounds like they are trying to find a way to fire Jeremy Pruitt, so he could potentially be available. Tough to see how his offense would fit with IW but he's a great college OC.

Dan Enos was Bielema's OC for his last 3 Arkansas years. Left a HC gig at Central Michigan to take the job. Currently AHC/RB at Cincinnati. Good recruiter, well regarded, he'd be an obvious choice. If he's not in the picture then Bielema's really serious about changing his offense.

Barry Lunney Jr was Bielema's TE coach for his whole tenure at Arkansas, kept from the previous staff, and then retained under Chad Morris post-Bielema, adding ST coordinator responsibilities. Left this year to join fellow Morris assistant Jeff Traylor's first staff at UTSA as AHC/OC/QB. Arkansas native and alum. Not a huge name or resume, but a well regarded young guy who is connected to Bielema but also runs a more modern spread offense. UTSA was a much improved team this year, and very nearly upset BYU in Provo.

Derek Dooley is on the 2020 Giants staff with Bielema. Before that he was Mizzou's OC in 2018-19. Dynamite in 18 with Drew Lock, less so the second year and Barry Odom got fired. Former HC at La Tech and Tennessee of course.

I think that about does it in terms of college OC's with recent connections to Bielema.

Great breakdown, and I think this is a good reason why taking a huge risk on guys like Nate or that tOSU WR coach are big gambles.

How many names do we think Nate could pull at all of the assistant spots?

Maybe he would have done great, but it’s definitely a risk.
 
#47      
Matt Canada was Bielema's last OC with Wisconsin, hired when Paul Chryst took the HC job at Pitt. He's QB coach of the Steelers right now, and was Maryland's interim HC after DJ Durkin got fired.

Jim Chaney was Bielema's first OC at Arkansas, and eventually left to be on Pat Narduzzi's first staff at Pitt. He's currently OC at Tennessee, though it sure sounds like they are trying to find a way to fire Jeremy Pruitt, so he could potentially be available. Tough to see how his offense would fit with IW but he's a great college OC.

Dan Enos was Bielema's OC for his last 3 Arkansas years. Left a HC gig at Central Michigan to take the job. Currently AHC/RB at Cincinnati. Good recruiter, well regarded, he'd be an obvious choice. If he's not in the picture then Bielema's really serious about changing his offense.

Barry Lunney Jr was Bielema's TE coach for his whole tenure at Arkansas, kept from the previous staff, and then retained under Chad Morris post-Bielema, adding ST coordinator responsibilities. Left this year to join fellow Morris assistant Jeff Traylor's first staff at UTSA as AHC/OC/QB. Arkansas native and alum. Not a huge name or resume, but a well regarded young guy who is connected to Bielema but also runs a more modern spread offense. UTSA was a much improved team this year, and very nearly upset BYU in Provo.

Derek Dooley is on the 2020 Giants staff with Bielema. Before that he was Mizzou's OC in 2018-19. Dynamite in 18 with Drew Lock, less so the second year and Barry Odom got fired. Former HC at La Tech and Tennessee of course.

I think that about does it in terms of college OC's with recent connections to Bielema.
Thanks for the research and the post gritty. Paints the picture of logical possibilities.
 
#48      
J has chosen broadcasting and real estate as his professions....I'm assuming if he wanted to coach he's had plenty of time and chances to start down that path and hasn't done it.

You must have missed his interview this past week on Tay and Piper. J Leman applied for the LB'er job with Lovie Smith, and Lovie gave it to his son. He clearly wants to get into college coaching or he wouldn't have applied
 
#49      
I don't get this trend of "I hope former player x who has never ever coached" gets hired as a critical position coach. I love seeing Illini guys on the staff, but they need to get the job because they're talented coaches, not because they used to suit up.

Where else should former players begin their coaching career? They have to start somewhere. Jim Leonhard started as a DB coach at Wisconsin in 2016 when his playing career was done. If you've heard J talk, he's a recruiter. He's a natural salesman, and there's no better person to sell the Illinois experience than someone that went thru it, especially a guy like him who was an unheralded recruit that became a star.

And he's not that far removed from his playing days where what he says as far as his experience will still be relevant to prospective athletes. Plus, he's very connected in the Champaign community. It just makes lot of sense. I had no idea before this week that Leman tried to get on Lovie's staff. I hope he does the same with Bielema, because Bielema is smart enough to hire a guy like that.
 
#50      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Where else should former players begin their coaching career? They have to start somewhere. Jim Leonhard started as a DB coach at Wisconsin in 2016 when his playing career was done.
Jim Leonhard spent a year, unpaid, working with Dave Aranda at Wisconsin after his NFL career was over, inhaling film, learning the college game.

A guy with NFL money is privileged to be able to do that. But one way or another there are dues to pay, and J Leman is not paying them yukking it up with Beth Mowins in the booth (which he does very well by the way!)
 
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