Quote:Even though Illinois is prepared to come up with an eight-year deal worth more than $20 million, it’s not clear whether Stevens is genuinely open to changing jobs or simply was interested in hearing what Illini representatives had to say.
Quote:Groce, 40, not only fits the hiring profile of Thomas, who took new football coach Tim Beckman from the Mid-American Conference, but he also would be more likely to be a long-termer at Illinois than some high-profile candidates who’d be tempted to leave for other jobs.
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
Stevens isn't going anywhere. They went after the wrong guys, both Smart and Stevens make plenty of money (with very long-term contracts) at jobs they're perfectly happy in. They'd both only leave for a handful (if that) of select jobs. They should have focused on major-school guys who are looking elsewhere (like Frank Martin at Kansas State, who for some bizarre reason UI doesn't see interested in; similar to what UI did with Lon Kruger) or highly successful mid-major guys who are actually looking to move up (like Gregg Marshall was before nobody wanted to pay him $2.5 million a year; similar to what UI did with Bill Self). Going after entrenched, well-paid guys only works if you're Kentucky, Duke, UNC, Indiana, etc.
The fact that the UI administration is a complete trainwreck isn't helping anything, either.
Groce had a great run this year but his overall resume isn't going to wow anybody, so the AD really better hope he works out, because that hire (if it is indeed Groce) is not going to go over well with the fanbase at all.
(This post was last modified: 03-25-2012 08:20 PM by UIHuskie.)
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
Groce will be the new coach by the middle of the week. Groce has done very well at Ohio the last 4 yrs. When U of I fans get to know him and see how hard he works they will love him.
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
(03-25-2012 08:06 PM)UIHuskie Wrote: Stevens isn't going anywhere. They went after the wrong guys, both Smart and Stevens make plenty of money (with very long-term contracts) at jobs they're perfectly happy in. They'd both only leave for a handful (if that) of select jobs. They should have focused on major-school guys who are looking elsewhere (like Frank Martin at Kansas State, who for some bizarre reason UI doesn't see interested in; similar to what UI did with Lon Kruger) or highly successful mid-major guys who are actually looking to move up (like Gregg Marshall was before nobody wanted to pay him $2.5 million a year; similar to what UI did with Bill Self). Going after entrenched, well-paid guys only works if you're Kentucky, Duke, UNC, Indiana, etc.
The fact that the UI administration is a complete trainwreck isn't helping anything, either.
Groce had a great run this year but his overall resume isn't going to wow anybody, so the AD really better hope he works out, because that hire (if it is indeed Groce) is not going to go over well with the fanbase at all.
^ this
(I'm getting really annoyed with certain Ohio fans that are living in a fantasy land)
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
Well, Illinois can't continue to get rejected. They are 0 - 2 and throwing around big money. The job could become a hot potato. No one will take because so many have turned down.
Makes you wonder why the Illness didn't go after Martin. Or maybe they did and were turned away.
No offense to the Groce but five consecutive 20+ win season in the Big 12 is more impressive (to me) than what's been done in Athens. This year's KSU team may have done better in the tourney had it not been for NCAA rules preventing Jamar Samuels from playing against Syracuse.
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
Yeesh. It's PAINFULLY clear that Illinois hired the wrong guy to be AD. Illinois has gone from among the nation's best basketball programs to rinky dink status. How does a program the historical stature of Illinois have to settle on a third choice???? Smart turning down the job was a body blow. Groce might be a good coach, but my goodness his hiring is insanely UNDERWHELMING. Plus Groce is white. Can you IMAGINE the sort of reaction this hire is getting among the power structure that was insisting on an African American hire?!? WOW, what a mess.
I thought the Beckman hire was underwhelming, bizarre and awful. But this basketball hiring nightmare tops that in spades.
You watch...there is going to be major uprising within Illini Nation calling for Thomas to be fired. I'll bet he is gone by Christmas. Then there will be loud clamoring to go after Jim Phillips for the Illini job.
(This post was last modified: 03-26-2012 05:38 PM by WhiskeyDick.)
Makes you wonder why the Illness didn't go after Martin. Or maybe they did and were turned away.
No offense to the Groce but five consecutive 20+ win season in the Big 12 is more impressive (to me) than what's been done in Athens. This year's KSU team may have done better in the tourney had it not been for NCAA rules preventing Jamar Samuels from playing against Syracuse.
For some bizarre reason, Illinois had no interest in Martin. He has done a very good job at Kansas State and, from what I have heard, would have taken the Illinois job if offered. UI just never showed any interest in hiring him. Really, really strange, unless there's something else going on with him than is out there publicly.
Hiring Groce may work out (we'll see in about 3-4 years), but short-term the AD has a problem. He really needs Groce to come in and recruit well and win next year.
(This post was last modified: 03-26-2012 05:52 PM by UIHuskie.)
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
I said he would be the coach by the middle of the week. It sounds like a press conference tuesday. The Illinois job is not a rebuilding, they will win many games if guys dont leave. The Ohio program may be in trouble. I dont think any of next years seniors will leave but the new coach has no schollys to offer for a year, unless someone leaves.
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
TIFWIW, a bunch of ex-players and others in Chicago are continuing to push for Reggie Theus, who they believe would be capable of effectively recruiting the city. Sounds like the AD is sold on Groce but has a bunch of people trying to sell him on Theus. That's the story, anyway.
(This post was last modified: 03-26-2012 06:54 PM by UIHuskie.)
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
(03-26-2012 05:17 PM)WhiskeyDick Wrote: You watch...there is going to be major uprising within Illini Nation calling for Thomas to be fired. I'll bet he is gone by Christmas. Then there will be loud clamoring to go after Jim Phillips for the Illini job.
Chicago Tribune Predicted Headline for the August 3rd, 2012 paper:
Phillips Turns Down Illini Head Basketball Coach Position
A.P. - Champaign, IL. The AP has learned the Illini have been turned down for a 21st time in their search for the next men's basketball coach. Jim Phillips has told the AP that he will only accept a job at Illinois if it is for AD and that he has no interest in being the head basketball coach. Thomas says the Illini will now look to the Russian Development League for potential bright basketball minds.
RE: OT: Sun-Times reports Ohio's Groce possible target for Illness
(03-26-2012 06:56 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: Chicago Tribune Predicted Headline for the August 3rd, 2012 paper:
Phillips Turns Down Illini Head Basketball Coach Position
A.P. - Champaign, IL. The AP has learned the Illini have been turned down for a 21st time in their search for the next men's basketball coach. Jim Phillips has told the AP that he will only accept a job at Illinois if it is for AD and that he has no interest in being the head basketball coach. Thomas says the Illini will now look to the Russian Development League for potential bright basketball minds.
Will the Russians bring the little giraffes with them? If so, I may be ok with this idea. Imagine how much we could cheat with all of their oil money. We'd make Calipari look like a hobo.
Who wouldn't want to play for this guy?
(This post was last modified: 03-26-2012 07:04 PM by UIHuskie.)