Not sure I see that huge a risk. All evidence is the guy is a heck of a X's/O's and program building type coach. The next couple years will suck no matter what as the cupboard is pretty bare right now. HS coaches and players aren't dumb, if they see a coach that develops players, that is good with fundamentals and that treats the players well, the talent will find its way here. I actually view LL as being lower risk than BB and Fickell - we don't know that BB can win without the tail wind provided by a successful predecessor and we don't know how much of Fickell's success is due to him vs his coordinators, plus the expectations and price tag will be much higher
I agree in that I don't know if a huge risk, but definitely somewhat of a concern on recruiting. However, I would love to see a well coached team which LL seems like he would do well in. I don't know the last time I saw a well coached Illini team and it would be something to behold.
Also, for another post, I don't know if I see our cupboard so low if we retain some of returning talent. Some holes and possibilities for transfers, but I do feel like our talent was grossly underused this season.
For example (talent)
WR - Hightower seems to be a unique option and maybe a BheBhe light?
Navarro is a good possession receiver.
Can Washington step up and Frenchie is a highly rated recruit - although depth is really bad and are any ready to be a number 1 or even number 2 receiver.
Brown and Love are good talents at RB.
We did not use Ford at all like he should have been - depth will be bad if Barker does not return and don't get anyone in
OL is a concern for sure but if we somehow get Green back (however with Palcho coming back, Jeretsay possibly, Pearl and Brown playing well in spurts) we at least look better than I thought
Williams is a unique talent at the QB and seem to have some good upcoming talent. Much better than it had been
Would love to see more depth at all positions, but it is better than when Lovie took over, but badly coached.
Defensively, we are young, but there is talent in Coleman, Newton, Randolph on the line, but we need someone to rush and need some tackles bad. LB's in Tolson, Cooper, and Barnes is a good start and obviously our secondary will be a concern if Hobbs/Adams don't use the free year to return, but Witherspoon, Beason if ready and comes back, and if Brown somehow returns to form.
While not a great class coming in, it seemed we did address the Oline and Secondary the best. We will see, but it is a little better than when Lovie took over and with all due respect, outside of turnovers, he seemed like Lovie coached really bad and without a real game plan. There is no way our offense from Rod should have been this bad this year and the defense could not create any pass rush and just gave up. However, with Lovie known as a D coach, there were really badly coached. I mean listening to Jay Leman, he would have immediately upgraded how that team was coached just listening to him.
I know it is a long shot as most coaches will bring in their own staff, but would love to see one of Leman, Scheelhouse, or Holocek join this staff somehow. We need some Illini blood that can recruit the state, but also with Leman, I feel knows what he is doing. Straight up nepotism for Lovie to hire his own son when Jay was pining for the job. This alone is why along with Lovie's record, I could care less he is gone. I liked Lovie originally as a classy leader, but that just reaks along with laziness on recruiting trail.
Whatever happens, I do believe JW will do a good job finding someone that will be motivated to do well and hopefully, well coached.
