The Illinois Defensive Coordinator Search

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#176      

willillini

W
willillini
i would think that while Leonard might be a good look from the outside looking in, to the players and the rest of the current staff the feeling
could be one of your guys has been passed over. As a response, Kane could be out shopping his abilities to others. all trust goes to BB handle this.
 
#177      

Mr. Tibbs

Mr. Tibbs
southeast DuPage
Mr. Tibbs
imo, the conversation with Leonhard is at least happening , or BB could have just come out by now and anointed Kane if he was Plan 1A. Doesnt mean JL is Plan 1A, but the discussion is happening.

I see no real reason why we couldn't hire JL and keep Kane. Thats up to BB to figure out , if thats the way he wants to go.
 
#180      

ILLINIShox24

ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
ILLINIShox24
Hypothetically how would the roster/recruiting in the very near term compare with Leonhard as DC vs Kane? Pierce more likely with Leonhard onboard? Any risk Kane follows Walters if Leonhard is hired here?
 
#181      

illini0440

illini0440
illini0440
Mr. Tibbs said:
imo, the conversation with Leonhard is at least happening , or BB could have just come out by now and anointed Kane if he was Plan 1A. Doesnt mean JL is Plan 1A, but the discussion is happening.

I see no real reason why we couldn't hire JL and keep Kane. Thats up to BB to figure out , if thats the way he wants to go.
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It’d be the same reason Wisconsin couldn’t keep Leonhard. Kane would be passed over for the job he was promised to get when Ryan left.
 
#182      

Mr. Tibbs

Mr. Tibbs
southeast DuPage
Mr. Tibbs
illini0440 said:
It’d be the same reason Wisconsin couldn’t keep Leonhard. Kane would be passed over for the job he was promised to get when Ryan left.
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you would know more than me as I am unaware of back room promises on promotions.
if thats the case , then you are likely correct, and Kane would then leave.
But somehow Saban brings in new high profile OC's and DC's , and not all his position coaches seem to feel slighted enough to leave.
 
#183      

dbeaverfg

dbeaverfg
dbeaverfg
For those curious about Leonhard's seeming attachment to the state of Wisconsin. My in-laws lived less than a mile from his HS. Here's a pic of it. Literally a barn!

1671036354240.png
 
#185      

GILL-INOIS

G
GILL-INOIS
Illinois is in a great spot with Kane or Leonhard

Bielema mentioned having a plan in place that will be unveiled in the coming weeks.....feel like he is waiting to leave us a Xmas present

I was leaning more towards Kane getting promoted when I read that. The other thought I had when reading that is that Leonhard is coaching in the Bowl Game on Dec 27th and than leaving. If Illinois does hire internally, Would it be better to announce sooner than later? Mainly thinking with some recruits left on the board and with transfer portal open for another month.
 
#186      

illini0440

illini0440
illini0440
Mr. Tibbs said:
you would know more than me as I am unaware of back room promises on promotions.
if thats the case , then you are likely correct, and Kane would then leave.
But somehow Saban brings in new high profile OC's and DC's , and not all his position coaches seem to feel slighted enough to leave.
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Apples to oranges. Kane was brought in on the initial staff with the promise of being DC in waiting(mind you he left a spot where he was a DC to come here and be a position coach). Saban doesn't have to build a staff from scratch and none of the assistants are promised a coordinator job.
 
#187      

altgeld88

altgeld88
Arlington, Virginia
altgeld88
JFGsCoffeeMug said:
Only betas can't stop talking about how big of an alpha they are.
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Catching up on the thread since yesterday morning, your comment struck me as containing more wisdom per word than just about anything I've read this month.

Reminds me of Death of a Salesman when Willy Loman is marveling to his neighbor Charley (whose accomplished son, Bernard, was recently home and chatting with Willy) that he had no idea Bernard had argued a case in front of the Supreme Court because Bernard never bragged about it when they spoke.

Charley's response: "He didn't need to."
 
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#189      

TheGMan

TheGMan
TheGMan
Joel Goodson said:
If Leonhard is the DC, it's a given that he's a very short termer. I reckon he'll have multiple HC opportunities next year (barring a defensive collapse). Methinks BB would assure Kane that he's on deck.
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Not being argumentative, just curious, but what would the benefit of this be? Does a year of Leonhard and promoting Kane later give us some advantage over just promoting Kane now?
 
#190      

Dee_4_3

Dee_4_3
Dee_4_3
IMPE ALL STAR said:
If we don’t promote Kane, he’s likely headed to Purdue isn’t he?
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Depending on his relationship with RW, I would think it's a possibility. But I have no idea how tight they were.

Also, with the proposed promise of Kane taking over the DC position here with Walters leaving if that is part of RWs plan as a head coach now.
 
#192      

Mr. Tibbs

Mr. Tibbs
southeast DuPage
Mr. Tibbs
TheGMan said:
Not being argumentative, just curious, but what would the benefit of this be? Does a year of Leonhard and promoting Kane later give us some advantage over just promoting Kane now?
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as Leonhard has been a B1G DC for 6 seasons now, and widely recognized as real good at it, one would think he is "more" ready for that task right now than Kane.
 
#194      

TheGMan

TheGMan
TheGMan
Mr. Tibbs said:
as Leonhard has been a B1G DC for 6 seasons now, and widely recognized as real good at it, one would think he is "more" ready for that task right now than Kane.
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But does one year really do anything major for us? There would presumably be some type of change to the defense that may take time.

Again, I’m just curious. Maybe he would help enough to make it worthwhile through recruiting or something, but my first thought is that Kane knows the defense/system/players better and the continuity may be more desirable.
 
#196      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
Is this the most likely outcome:

DC: Kane
AHC (title & pay bump): Henry
CBs: Outside hire

?

Seems certain that bringing in Leonhard would shake up a lot of the defensive staff, as it would increase leverage for some of those guys to follow Walters to Purdue. Then again, it's easy to see the benefit of bringing in one of the best defensive coaches in the country.
 
#198      

redwingillini11

redwingillini11
White and Sixth
North Aurora
redwingillini11
100% fool-proof plan to make everyone happy: Kane and Leonhard are named co-DCs, with Leonhard calling the plays. Kane is promised this is a one year arrangement, and that next year he will be the sole, play-calling DC when Leonhard gets the HC gig he ultimately wants next offseason. Everyone is happy, we keep almost the entire staff together, we get all of the recruits we want, and we have an even more dominant defense next year. Now, let's go get some burritos at Maize to celebrate!
 
#199      

dbeaverfg

dbeaverfg
dbeaverfg
Let's not forget Kane coached the outside LB's. Pretty good group that included Jacas and Coleman. If Kane leaves we'd have to replace that position coach.
 
#200      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
redwingillini11 said:
100% fool-proof plan to make everyone happy: Kane and Leonhard are named co-DCs, with Leonhard calling the plays. Kane is promised this is a one year arrangement, and that next year he will be the sole, play-calling DC when Leonhard gets the HC gig he ultimately wants next offseason. Everyone is happy, we keep almost the entire staff together, we get all of the recruits we want, and we have an even more dominant defense next year. Now, let's go get some burritos at Maize to celebrate!
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These statements are mutually exclusive.


If Leonhard wants, he can take a year off and he'll be just as hot of a DC candidate next year with the benefit of more time to pick his ideal landing spot. The risk is Illinois' defense is destined to regress next season, just a question of whether it will become a (a) good not great defense in '23 or (b) worse. Illinois will have to offer enough of a financial windfall, familiarity (Bielema), belief in the roster pieces, and comfort that taking the DC job at Illinois will quickly propel him to a HC position.
 
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