I know I'm in the minority, but I would rather have LOL than LF. And while I didn't believe it, I still have a sense of relief that no BB announcement was made.
The Illinois Football Coaching Search
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I believe we are seeing big programs make financial decisions regarding their retaining of head coaches where in a normal year they would be making football decisions. I'm guessing in a typical year we would be seeing more firings at Nebraska, Michigan, Texas, Virginia Tech, and Tennessee. Most of these programs haven't been living up to expectations under their current head coach for multiple seasons. We may still see a few firings, but in a typical year I think we are competing against almost that entire list of schools.
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
Shoot. I hope it’s not BB.
They went on in that thread to also mention Malzahn, Fickell and Monken. Truth is nobody knows. ( except JW of course)
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Those who are most likely to be dismissed for reasons other than wins and loses?
Fickell reminds me of Larry Bird, only quicker. Oh sorry, wrong thread.
I'd prefer Lance Leipold to any coach that's going to start off 0-2.
Fewer openings certainly benefits Illinois. You have to at least kick the tires on Fickell after seeing the way the committee has treated Cincinati he may decide a good time to move on. Leipold, Bielema and Dave Clawson I think will all get interviews. Don't sleep on Clawson has done a really good job at Wake Forest a tough place to win understands how to run a program and would do a good job at Illinois.
the national
- the Front Range
He may be quicker, but can he grow a lethal mustache like Bird?
People who want an offensive minded coach might want to take another look at Gus Malzahn. When he was Offensive Coordinator at Tulsa he ran a high powered offense. They actually had more yards of offense one year, than both Hawaii (QB Colt Brennan) and Texas Tech (QB Graham Harrell).
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Gus runs a high octane offense, no doubt. That was his calling card coming out of the high school ranks 15+ years ago. He's a bit of a mad scientist in the football lab. When it goes great, his schemes can be mind blowing and give defenses fits. But when it doesn't work, you wonder if he's overthinking things. Not saying Gus can't adapt, but in my view he does have a streak of "I know what I'm doing, my way will work", ala how Robert framed Lovie today.
Coaching in the SEC is an incredible grind. Gus is a very wealthy man right now, and I'd be surprised if he jumped right back into coaching. Not sure what his next move will be, if any, but I think it'd be a super long shot for Illinois to get him.
I'm surprised no one has heard who it is yet. Would have to think jw knows already
Lex Luther
or Lower Level coaches?
Gus just got fired from an SEC school where he never had a losing record in 8 years and coached in a national championship. There isn't another guy out there who has a resume like that.The guy is going to have options and if he doesn't like them then I wouldn't be surprised if we see him sitting next to Urban on TV for a year until something to his liking opens up. Oh, and he just got paid $20 million to go away. I'm guessing he's going to want to go somewhere where he can compete for a national title quickly.
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
True, but like Fickell apparently, you HAVE to make him say no multiple times.
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Can’t someone do the same thing we do for basketball recruits...create a photo of them in an Illini shirt? I do not have the skill set, but I would love to see it.
Doesn’t the state have some official time period after a job is posted before it can be filled? Like a week or two.
I’m betting JW has his man locked up but can’t announce for various reasons.
Said coach would probably prefer to finish up the regular season where he is at as well.
I'd be shocked if there was an announcement before Saturdays game at Pedo State.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
Regarding point 1, yes, 2 weeks, however, there are ways around it. And, in both of JW hires, they went around it.
Regarding point 3, I agree. I think they may be waiting for the coach to finish his regular season to announce.
Are his growth plates still open?
Jerry Kill is 0-5 in Bowl Games
Lance Leipold is 1-1 in Bowl Games and 34-1 in the playoffs.
Deleted member 747671
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My theory is that jw is really pushing hard for a huge get like fickell but has a couple other options ready to go if he absolutely can’t get him. That’s why nothings out yet, still waiting on the big 1. I have absolutely no info, just my random thoughts.
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