Yeah, I get that he is a relative no-name, but I'm surprised at the auto-dismissal response from most here. I thought one of the gaps that everyone was concerned about is that we don't have enough recruiters who can get out and connect with high school players and here is a guy that could very well help fill that role :noidea:
The Illinois Coaching Staff Thread
Yeah, I get that he is a relative no-name, but I'm surprised at the auto-dismissal response from most here. I thought one of the gaps that everyone was concerned about is that we don't have enough recruiters who can get out and connect with high school players and here is a guy that could very well help fill that role :noidea:
I agree with both sides of the argument on this hire. Personally, I side with whatever Lovie does. Tired of questioning coaches this early on in their tenure.
This isn't a flashy hire. Maybe it was strategic to get an expensive guy in here as the last assistant. Maybe the staff thinks he can be a great recrutier. Heck, maybe he is some sort of football genius. Either way, I dont think teams ever went from 2-whatever to national championship games because they hired a great DL coach. Yes its important, but its not like the staff couldnt take a risk here.
This isn't a flashy hire. Maybe it was strategic to get an expensive guy in here as the last assistant. Maybe the staff thinks he can be a great recrutier. Heck, maybe he is some sort of football genius. Either way, I dont think teams ever went from 2-whatever to national championship games because they hired a great DL coach. Yes its important, but its not like the staff couldnt take a risk here.
I don't think it's so much of an "auto-dismissal" as it is confusion and just a real unknown. Nobody knows anything about this kid. There's obviously gotta be something about him that Lovie really likes for him to name him to the staff, and replace probably the best "teacher" on the staff. I think most people would've been ok with Nate getting the offensive assistant position or Fotu getting this position. This guy is basically their equal. Personally, I think there's more to this, and the next hire will clear it up. There's a lot of money left over from McGee and Phair. Guessing the next hire will be a more established name to offset the youth.
Exactly my thoughts when I read his bio. Some young blood to relate to recruits could be a very good thing -- especially in those two important states.
Sounds like there may be some connections, the article states he played with Hardy Jr. Also, could have connection to Coach Abraham from playing in the Tampa area while he was coaching.
That's fair. I just don't want people to say this hiring is a disappointment when, like you said, we may not know the full...narrative...until the final hire is made.
Personally, I think requiring connections to the Midwest is overrated. And being young isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sean McVay is only 5 years older than him. It's very possible that we are getting in on the ground floor of an up-and-comer. It's also very possible that this was an awful hire
Let's not jump to conclusions, yet.
Let's not jump to conclusions, yet.
No idea who this guy is, but it's better than nothing. Especially if he's right that Clark was the heir apparent to the DL spot if USC's DL coach went to the NFL.
https://twitter.com/ShotgunSpr/status/961716573982547968
https://twitter.com/ShotgunSpr/status/961716573982547968
South Farms
- near Ogden & Rt 83
He undoubtedly was hired to RECRUIT RECRUIT and did I say RECRUIT ?
We need more speed and talent from Cali and Fla, and this guy will be spending many days and nights in those states over the next 5 months. Lets see how he does getting kids from Cali and Fla.
There is plenty of experience with Lovie and Hardy to help with the X's and O's part.
People would have said the same thing about Matt Campbell's age had we been smart enough to hire him 6 years ago. Look what he's done.
We need more speed and talent from Cali and Fla, and this guy will be spending many days and nights in those states over the next 5 months. Lets see how he does getting kids from Cali and Fla.
There is plenty of experience with Lovie and Hardy to help with the X's and O's part.
People would have said the same thing about Matt Campbell's age had we been smart enough to hire him 6 years ago. Look what he's done.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I’m tired of saying it and tired of thinking it but patience is the watchword. Nothing happens overnight. It seems to me we’ve brought in two young recruiters to recruit some key areas. This will take some time to come to fruition. It won’t happen overnight that we start seeing all the top kids in St Louis and some of the top kids from the West come to Illinois. Lovie is still putting the pieces together for this program. He started with the best staff he could put together in March. He’s finally building staff balance (recruiters versus coaches). I’m in for the long haul. Don’t forget that Josh is guiding this shop as well and in my opinion Josh is an extraordinary AD.
I was hoping for that as well. Ah well. I'm trying to be optimistic on this one. It's difficult. In them we trust.
D-Line coach
Well it is a shocking downgrade in reputation. But we have to hope he is a future star. It is always a possibility. He couldn't have any better area of ties for recruiting so there is that. Just have to sit back and see what happens.
If this works the way it is set up, we need to have a huge jump in recruiting success next year. We have guys with recruiting ties to big time programs and areas. now we need to get some players who want an opportunity to play early and build the success.
Well it is a shocking downgrade in reputation. But we have to hope he is a future star. It is always a possibility. He couldn't have any better area of ties for recruiting so there is that. Just have to sit back and see what happens.
If this works the way it is set up, we need to have a huge jump in recruiting success next year. We have guys with recruiting ties to big time programs and areas. now we need to get some players who want an opportunity to play early and build the success.
Clark's young, and he's gotta be super hungry. We need recruiters for 2019 and 2020 and given what we're hearing from out west this might work out well for us. I really hope this all works out well for Clark AND Phair (and us).
Clark's young, and he's gotta be super hungry. We need recruiters for 2019 and 2020 and given what we're hearing from out west this might work out well for us. I really hope this all works out well for Clark AND Phair (and us).
What does the highlighted part mean? Are you just referring to USC's thoughts on Clark?
I'm not buying the "we're cheaping out" explanation. We could have gotten a more experienced DLine coach from the MAC, C-USA, American, etc and they would probably make the same salary as what we're paying Clark. Our "base" salary would still be a huge increase for them, plus they're jumping up a level.
If I had to speculate, he probably got a huge endorsement from someone Lovie trusts and he knocked his interview out of the park. I'm optimistic, even though I expected a more well known hire.
If I had to speculate, he probably got a huge endorsement from someone Lovie trusts and he knocked his interview out of the park. I'm optimistic, even though I expected a more well known hire.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
I'd have serious doubts that if USC d-line coach ends up leaving that Clark wouldn't immediately head back to USC.
Given that he played with the younger Nickerson, both he and his dad may have had positive things to say.
Is he related to Josh McDaniels?
Dan
Admin
Officially official
Austin Clark named new Fighting Illini defensive line coach
https://twitter.com/UICoachClark/status/962016827697086469
http://fightingillini.com/news/2018...med-fighting-illini-defensive-line-coach.aspx
Austin Clark named new Fighting Illini defensive line coach
https://twitter.com/UICoachClark/status/962016827697086469
http://fightingillini.com/news/2018...med-fighting-illini-defensive-line-coach.aspx
Twitter and news articles... nobody seems glad he's gone, not a lot of snark, some were hoping he'd stay and get moved up, kids wishing him well.
Sometimes you see someone go and it's pure hatred and on our forums it's more often 50/50 snark and well wishes. He seems well thought of.
I can't find anything on him re: recruiting tho. I'll bet he works his tail off though. And I like the beard. Based on beard and neck size I think he's five out of five stars.
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Not sure of the NCAA limits, but there's definitely a limit in the fact that he will get a better job than that.
It'd definitely be great if allowed. Somehow doubt it is though.