I was under the impression that holocek had no interest. Perhaps that has changed.
The Illinois Coaching Staff Search
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altenberger22
- South Carolina
I cannot envision BB hiring a HS coach. He has much too much on the line.
illinimike
- Wheaton, IL
Yesterday on 93.5, Lon Tay and J Leman made it sound like he’d entertain the idea.
Was there an answer to this? I’ve read that article looking for Al Davis’ name and haven’t seen it.
That’s what his bio says. It must mean that BB thinks he’s going to hire someone better.
JJE
- Bethalto, IL
He walked back that 3-4 comment yesterday. Hasn't made a decision on 3 man front or 4 yet.
JJE
- Bethalto, IL
BB was just did an interview on the ESPN radio station down here in St. Louis. They asked him about staff he said he was likely going to have some splash hires and also guys we've never heard of. He also mentioned just because you pay a guy lot doesn't mean he will be a good coach. He said fit is key.
I don’t follow it as close as I used to. I was a former strength coach and now I am involved in the private sector. While you see lots of hype stength videos in a full crowded weightroom. Behind the scenes things are getting much more data driven with gps tracking and other technology. Saban’s longest assistant was a Strength coach. He left for Georgia to take over the special teams. Saban basically parted ways with him because he felt there were too many injuries and that they were way behind in the tracking of athletes. He basically brought in a couple of sports science guys from Indiana to take over. Each strength program is allowed 5 full time coaches. The key is to have diversity on the staff. Where each guy brings a different edge to your program. I Always felt like Illinois strength guys were all the same. Also during lovies tenure, the assistant strength coaching turnover rate was really high.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
Per article, assistant pool ranks 5th in the B1G.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The Scoop - Monday January 9, 2023
Since 1999, all sources remain confidential. Mail@FootballScoop.com or 225.229.3429 The FootballScoop staff is in Charlotte all week. We look forward to
footballscoop.com
Illinois: Jake Zweig, who held the title of director of MAN development with the Illini program, is not being retained sources tell FootballScoop. Prior to that role, Zweig spent two seasons as a special teams analyst for the program.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Sure sounds like we're cleaning house. How much of this is due to a new coach wanting to put his own stamp on the program vs. an indictment of how poor our staff was under Lovie?
I get that our staff wasn't built with recruiting in mind. Were we pretty bad at everything else too?
I get that our staff wasn't built with recruiting in mind. Were we pretty bad at everything else too?
"It's gotta be your bull"
Deleted member 747671
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I think cleaning house is pretty normal for new coaches taking over for fired coaches. If it were the case of replacing someone retiring or being poached by a higher level job, I'd imagine it's more likely to keep some existing staff. It sure seems like Bielema knows what he wants and has a plan. It'll be exciting to see how it plays out. Also, in his interview with Behrens, when talking about his staff, he basically put ST coordinator and S&C director on the same level of importance as OC and DC. He's going to want his guys, with his vision in those roles.
When a program has been this bad for this long. Probably best to clear out everyone except maybe some of organizational folks like Knox, the Dir. of Ops and equipment guy, Chestnut.
Chestnut must go lol !!
Holocek had no interest in working for the clowns we had in place from 2005-2020. Maybe different under BB
Deleted member 747671
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Holocek and Bielema both played around the same time, defensive, B1G, Illinois guys. With the potential move to 3-4, or at least something more aggressive and multiple, it seems like this would be among the best possible times for Holocek to make the move to college coaching. But really, I have no idea if he would actually want to make that move, and at worst, I bet Bielema could establish a good relationship with him when it comes to recruiting and in-state relationships.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
It is a radically different lifestyle than the one he has now, and not generally a switch people make at Holecek's age.
If he had a white-hot desire to be a college head coach (which is why guys make that switch) I would think the jump would have happened by now. My guess is he thinks its not for him, because he'd have to be nuts to think it's for him. It's a crazy person's profession.
But if he WANTS to quit a cushy job he could have forever, move to Champaign, and live on the road and on Snapchat 24/7/365 as a near 50 year old man, it's certainly worth hearing out one of the top prep coaches in the state who knows the University and knows the LB position.
Maybe it starts to fit a little bit more if you look at him as a guy spearheading your Chicagoland effort. He could keep the house in Wilmette and travel between the two. But can he deliver in that prep scene the way we need to? Can he be an asset with his position group at the Power Five level? If he's not redeye-after-practice cannon fodder like the rest of your young position coaches, is he 1000% all-in? And how does that work culturally on the staff? That's the feeling out process.
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Chief Gritty makes great points. Holecek probably has a great life and life-style right now. He gets to do what he loves without extraordinary stress on his family. If he were to come to Champaign, he would upend his family and be on the road 3-5 days every week during the off-season. Sounds like he would be a great linebackers coach with what he has proven at Loyola and his experience in the NFL. Rebuild Linebacker U; maybe Hansen and Eifler stick around to learn under him. But I wouldn't blame him if he wanted to continue with the life he has built form himself.
I have to admit, the hiring of Bret Bielema has me extremely excited about the future of Illinois football. (Was not excited when Lovie was hired.) This is the most excited I've been since the latter Zook years. I have faith that Coach will assemble a very capable staff and return us to greatness. I was a freshman in 1983-84, so I thought going to Rose Bowl and the Elite Eight in basketball is what was expected.
JJE
- Bethalto, IL
I'm not trying to be argumentative or say the people who want this are wrong, but I get really tired of reading on here how we need to hire guys because they live in Illinois or went to Illinois. I get it, we want a coaching staff that actually gives a rip about Illinois, but I just want the person who is going to do the best job. The two aren't mutually exclusive, but how many years are we going to talk about guys who have no chance to coaching here. Don't get me wrong I'd be willing to take a flier on one coach who is an Illinois guy, but I'd rather win football games with a competent coaching staff.
ProfessorQC
Ace Wolf
- UofI
Hearing Robinson from Sc is about to agree on terms to become our new DC. Superstar recruiter. Had to open up the pocket book a little more to get it done 
Need talent evaluators and relentless recruiters like him paired with BB on this staff! The quicker it becomes official the better!!
Need talent evaluators and relentless recruiters like him paired with BB on this staff! The quicker it becomes official the better!!
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