The Illinois Coaching Staff Search

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#53      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Where else should former players begin their coaching career?
You're suggesting that a P5 program should fill their coaching staffs with former players who have no coaching experience "because they have to get their start somewhere"?

And fwiw, most coaches get their start in smaller conferences. There are definitely exceptions to the rule, but in this case I agree with Lovie's decision not to hire Lehman due to his experience. Unfortunately Lovie didn't counter that with an actual good hire.
 
#54      

illini80

Forgottonia
I’m certain BB is hitting the ground running, but I wonder when we will start to hear actual names? There have been some listed here worth getting excited about for sure. I’d think this week, but hopefully someone connected to the program can keep feeding this addiction I have going.
 
#56      
I’m certain BB is hitting the ground running, but I wonder when we will start to hear actual names? There have been some listed here worth getting excited about for sure. I’d think this week, but hopefully someone connected to the program can keep feeding this addiction I have going.
I wouldn't be surprised if some come from the NFL.
 
#58      

bigmike

Colorado Springs
Overwhelmingly guys start out as grad
Assistants, analysts, and at smaller schools to cut their teeth in this profession. The idea that your very first gig is at your own school you went is not the norm.
 
#60      

Deleted member 747784

D
Guest
It would be a gamble. I'd rather see him as either WR or RB for another year or 2.
I would think he’s got basically NO CHANCE of convincing BB to hire him as OC . Maybe he could be a QB or RB or WR position coach - but I have to imagine he’s happy in Ames at Iowa St.

I love the “concept” of a former player being on staff as a position coach & recruiter, but the situation has to be right . BB deserves 100% to hire who he thinks is best for his program
 
#61      

altenberger22

South Carolina
After witnessing firsthand the Penn State debacle, Bielema probably won't be looking for recommendations from anyone associated with the Illinois program (probably even JW). I predict he hires 100% his own guys. Should reaching out to the "best of the best" in his eyes. He's got a lot of work to do!
 
#62      
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
Agree- where are the results
 
#64      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
I’m certain BB is hitting the ground running, but I wonder when we will start to hear actual names? There have been some listed here worth getting excited about for sure. I’d think this week, but hopefully someone connected to the program can keep feeding this addiction I have going.
The element that everything else is going to need to flow from is making a decision on IW.

IW is the most talented player on the team, and he will return next year for his third college season as a FRESHMAN quarterback. He also could not have played quarterback for any previous Bielema team, period, full stop.

If IW is Bielema's guy, the OC choice has to flow from that, and it most likely means stepping away from everyone I named earlier. Retaining CPatt may be a non-negotiable part of that as well. Say goodbye to Peters and go get a transfer that fits as well.

If Bielema needs a more traditional QB, job #1 would be finding a suitable QB in the transfer market AND looking for a prep one for February to develop AND recruiting Peters to stay. It is crucial that he immediately fills his QB room with options that can execute what he wants to do, and critically, run his stuff for the entire roster in practice. Lovie's failure to do that was devastating to the development of the entire offense. They literally didn't have guys to adequately practice stuff with WR's.

And if it's the latter option, we all know it ends with IW transferring. Is ripping the band-aid now the best option? What does that mean for CPatt? What does CPatt mean for the St. Louis market? Would they stick around for a year to try things out at WR? Would that just make everyone miserable and poison your culture?

A lot of new coaches come in and there's a heavily recruited starting QB in the center of the locker room they need to take a position on. For that player to be returning as a freshman, and to be totally incompatible with your historical offense, makes for a pretty unprecedented conundrum.

I just really hope there isn't a lot of flowery, coachspeak pretending that IW can be Scott Tolzien. That would be a terrible waste of precious time in Bielema's tenure and guarantee total uncompetitiveness next season.
 
#65      

illini80

Forgottonia
The element that everything else is going to need to flow from is making a decision on IW.

IW is the most talented player on the team, and he will return next year for his third college season as a FRESHMAN quarterback. He also could not have played quarterback for any previous Bielema team, period, full stop.

If IW is Bielema's guy, the OC choice has to flow from that, and it most likely means stepping away from everyone I named earlier. Retaining CPatt may be a non-negotiable part of that as well. Say goodbye to Peters and go get a transfer that fits as well.

If Bielema needs a more traditional QB, job #1 would be finding a suitable QB in the transfer market AND looking for a prep one for February to develop AND recruiting Peters to stay. It is crucial that he immediately fills his QB room with options that can execute what he wants to do, and critically, run his stuff for the entire roster in practice. Lovie's failure to do that was devastating to the development of the entire offense. They literally didn't have guys to adequately practice stuff with WR's.

And if it's the latter option, we all know it ends with IW transferring. Is ripping the band-aid now the best option? What does that mean for CPatt? What does CPatt mean for the St. Louis market? Would they stick around for a year to try things out at WR? Would that just make everyone miserable and poison your culture?

A lot of new coaches come in and there's a heavily recruited starting QB in the center of the locker room they need to take a position on. For that player to be returning as a freshman, and to be totally incompatible with your historical offense, makes for a pretty unprecedented conundrum.

I just really hope there isn't a lot of flowery, coachspeak pretending that IW can be Scott Tolzien. That would be a terrible waste of precious time in Bielema's tenure and guarantee total uncompetitiveness next season.
IW will be a tough call. For the first 10 minutes yesterday he looked great. He is an electric player. I just don’t know if he is the answer at QB.
 
#66      

bigmike

Colorado Springs
Agree- where are the results
The issue with retaining strength coaches is the following. When a new head coach comes in, they are not really allowed per ncaa to do much in the months of Jan-March. Those months are all strength and conditioning contact hours. There needs to be a new tone and direction set by the strength coach that mimics the wants and desires of the new head coach. This simply does not work with keeping the old crew around. The lack of speed in the last several years has been a huge issue that is not mentioned that frequently.
 
#67      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
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?

I have doubts about being able to pull George McDonald as co-OC considering that's his title at NC State and they are now squared away. But these are the type of guys that I would want to bring in that have a (1) connection to Illinois and (2) connection to Bielema. Looking at McDonald's performance as OC at Syracuse isn't a confidence builder. Then again, he took over (1) after Marrone left, (2) Ryan Nassib graduated, and (3) the Cuse transitioned from Big East to ACC. That's a tough draw.

Another Illini name (no association with Bielema) that could garner some consideration would be Aaron Moorehead. Currently the WR coach for the Eagles and has done the same role at Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech. Has been successful recruiting down in Texas. Originally from Deerfield. Question is what prompted him to jump up to the pros and whether he wants to come back down to college.
 
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#68      
The element that everything else is going to need to flow from is making a decision on IW.

IW is the most talented player on the team, and he will return next year for his third college season as a FRESHMAN quarterback. He also could not have played quarterback for any previous Bielema team, period, full stop.

If IW is Bielema's guy, the OC choice has to flow from that, and it most likely means stepping away from everyone I named earlier. Retaining CPatt may be a non-negotiable part of that as well. Say goodbye to Peters and go get a transfer that fits as well.

If Bielema needs a more traditional QB, job #1 would be finding a suitable QB in the transfer market AND looking for a prep one for February to develop AND recruiting Peters to stay. It is crucial that he immediately fills his QB room with options that can execute what he wants to do, and critically, run his stuff for the entire roster in practice. Lovie's failure to do that was devastating to the development of the entire offense. They literally didn't have guys to adequately practice stuff with WR's.

And if it's the latter option, we all know it ends with IW transferring. Is ripping the band-aid now the best option? What does that mean for CPatt? What does CPatt mean for the St. Louis market? Would they stick around for a year to try things out at WR? Would that just make everyone miserable and poison your culture?

A lot of new coaches come in and there's a heavily recruited starting QB in the center of the locker room they need to take a position on. For that player to be returning as a freshman, and to be totally incompatible with your historical offense, makes for a pretty unprecedented conundrum.

I just really hope there isn't a lot of flowery, coachspeak pretending that IW can be Scott Tolzien. That would be a terrible waste of precious time in Bielema's tenure and guarantee total uncompetitiveness next season.

Peters will stay one more year in hopes of getting a real shot. There is no way BB move forward with IW at QB if there is a desire to win. The success yesterday was simply because Penn State started the game prepared for Peters. Once they settled, first downs were limited. This was against one of the worst PS teams in a long time. I would be shocked if he saw anything worth retaining Saturday. As for as St Louis recruiting, Paterson is non existent at this point. There are a lot of individuals that feel like Illinois became the Trinity show which was a huge turnoff. That feeling has shifted the STL momentum to Drink and Mizzou. BB recruited STL well when he was at Wisc. Patterson is not needed to maintain that market. It will be interesting to see what happens but, I am thinking there will be a completely new look moving forward.
 
#69      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
I am thinking there will be a completely new look moving forward.
Gun to my head I would guess the same, but IW does have special raw talent.

And it's not 2008 anymore, he's sitting around today watching Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa excelling at the QB position and thinking why not me?

Murray was a bit IW-like as a true frosh at Texas A&M. And developed into a stone cold strike-thrower. It's not likely, but it's possible.
 
#70      
Gun to my head I would guess the same, but IW does have special raw talent.

And it's not 2008 anymore, he's sitting around today watching Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa excelling at the QB position and thinking why not me?

Murray was a bit IW-like as a true frosh at Texas A&M. And developed into a stone cold strike-thrower. It's not likely, but it's possible.
You comparing IW to Murray? He played a national schedule and never lost a high school game in Texas. IW is a great athlete but it’s no comparison.
 
#72      
You comparing IW to Murray? He played a national schedule and never lost a high school game in Texas. IW is a great athlete but it’s no comparison.

OP doesn't seem to be comparing, just pointing out that the QB mold is changing which it is. And any athlete who wants to be successful is thinking "Why not me?"

That being said BB seems to be adapting and learning and I'm sure the staff will work with IW as much as they can.
 
#73      
IW will be a tough call. For the first 10 minutes yesterday he looked great. He is an electric player. I just don’t know if he is the answer at QB.
IW isn't accurate enough throwing the football. But then Peters got in and didn't look any better.
I wouldn't be surprised to see BB try to get a transfer QB for next year. With that being said, BB has to find a way to get IW on the field. He's an incredible athlete.
 
#74      
IW isn't accurate enough throwing the football. But then Peters got in and didn't look any better.
I wouldn't be surprised to see BB try to get a transfer QB for next year. With that being said, BB has to find a way to get IW on the field. He's an incredible athlete.
Let’s be fair to Peters. What did he do to walk into the game and get basically benched? How focused could he really be with coaches clearly having a hidden agenda?

OAN IW maybe the best corner on the team. Played a heck of a corner in high school.
 
#75      
Let’s be fair to Peters. What did he do to walk into the game and get basically benched? How focused could he really be with coaches clearly having a hidden agenda?

OAN IW maybe the best corner on the team. Played a heck of a corner in high school.
I agree. Peters did get thrown to the wolves.
 
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