Pretty sure the coaching carousel is only getting started, but since it's been awhile for potential candidates, how about Jim Christian?
Just fired by Boston College in his seventh year, but older posters will remember him for having six 20-plus win seasons at Kent State (East Div. winner four times, tied for first once, and second once).
He then did four years at Texas Christian, double-digit wins for first three losing records followed by 18-15 mark in fourth year when let go.
Then spent next two years at Ohio (going 24-10 and 25-12) prior to being hired away by Boston College.
Even IF we would only be a stepping stone, if he continued his pattern of success in the MAC and post-season tourney play before leaving us, I think we're all hungry enough to enjoy two or three successful seasons.
(02-18-2021 03:23 PM)uiniu57 Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty sure the coaching carousel is only getting started, but since it's been awhile for potential candidates, how about Jim Christian?
Just fired by Boston College in his seventh year, but older posters will remember him for having six 20-plus win seasons at Kent State (East Div. winner four times, tied for first once, and second once).
He then did four years at Texas Christian, double-digit wins for first three losing records followed by 18-15 mark in fourth year when let go.
Then spent next two years at Ohio (going 24-10 and 25-12) prior to being hired away by Boston College.
Even IF we would only be a stepping stone, if he continued his pattern of success in the MAC and post-season tourney play before leaving us, I think we're all hungry enough to enjoy two or three successful seasons.
Boston College ACC Jim Christian $1,375,171
(02-18-2021 03:48 PM)El Duderino Wrote: [ -> ] (02-18-2021 03:23 PM)uiniu57 Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty sure the coaching carousel is only getting started, but since it's been awhile for potential candidates, how about Jim Christian?
Just fired by Boston College in his seventh year, but older posters will remember him for having six 20-plus win seasons at Kent State (East Div. winner four times, tied for first once, and second once).
He then did four years at Texas Christian, double-digit wins for first three losing records followed by 18-15 mark in fourth year when let go.
Then spent next two years at Ohio (going 24-10 and 25-12) prior to being hired away by Boston College.
Even IF we would only be a stepping stone, if he continued his pattern of success in the MAC and post-season tourney play before leaving us, I think we're all hungry enough to enjoy two or three successful seasons.
Boston College ACC Jim Christian $1,375,171
....and that brings this thread to a screeching halt!
(02-18-2021 03:52 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote: [ -> ] (02-18-2021 03:48 PM)El Duderino Wrote: [ -> ] (02-18-2021 03:23 PM)uiniu57 Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty sure the coaching carousel is only getting started, but since it's been awhile for potential candidates, how about Jim Christian?
Just fired by Boston College in his seventh year, but older posters will remember him for having six 20-plus win seasons at Kent State (East Div. winner four times, tied for first once, and second once).
He then did four years at Texas Christian, double-digit wins for first three losing records followed by 18-15 mark in fourth year when let go.
Then spent next two years at Ohio (going 24-10 and 25-12) prior to being hired away by Boston College.
Even IF we would only be a stepping stone, if he continued his pattern of success in the MAC and post-season tourney play before leaving us, I think we're all hungry enough to enjoy two or three successful seasons.
Boston College ACC Jim Christian $1,375,171
....and that brings this thread to a screeching halt!
unemployed = zero income. And the thread is alive!
(02-18-2021 05:39 PM)chihuskie Wrote: [ -> ] (02-18-2021 03:52 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote: [ -> ] (02-18-2021 03:48 PM)El Duderino Wrote: [ -> ] (02-18-2021 03:23 PM)uiniu57 Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty sure the coaching carousel is only getting started, but since it's been awhile for potential candidates, how about Jim Christian?
Just fired by Boston College in his seventh year, but older posters will remember him for having six 20-plus win seasons at Kent State (East Div. winner four times, tied for first once, and second once).
He then did four years at Texas Christian, double-digit wins for first three losing records followed by 18-15 mark in fourth year when let go.
Then spent next two years at Ohio (going 24-10 and 25-12) prior to being hired away by Boston College.
Even IF we would only be a stepping stone, if he continued his pattern of success in the MAC and post-season tourney play before leaving us, I think we're all hungry enough to enjoy two or three successful seasons.
Boston College ACC Jim Christian $1,375,171
....and that brings this thread to a screeching halt!
unemployed = zero income. And the thread is alive!
He could get an assistant position that pays more than NIU's HC position.
But..But...But...He loves the MAC!!
Not necessarily making zero dollars. Depends on how many years left on his contract and what's the buyout number.
(02-18-2021 03:48 PM)El Duderino Wrote: [ -> ]Boston College ACC Jim Christian $1,375,171
You're probably right on this one, but considering how the ILL-ness overpays every coach, I didn't think Groce would return to a MAC job after he was let go. If not Christian, hopefully there will be someone screwed over by a new AD or an excessively unrealistic, impatient fan base who will want to continue coaching. Ideally they'll think NIU: low expectations, prime recruiting area, no where to go but up. IF I prove I can win there I'll be in line for another $1,1375,171 job.
(02-19-2021 10:06 PM)uiniu57 Wrote: [ -> ] (02-18-2021 03:48 PM)El Duderino Wrote: [ -> ]Boston College ACC Jim Christian $1,375,171
You're probably right on this one, but considering how the ILL-ness overpays every coach, I didn't think Groce would return to a MAC job after he was let go. If not Christian, hopefully there will be someone screwed over by a new AD or an excessively unrealistic, impatient fan base who will want to continue coaching. Ideally they'll think NIU: low expectations, prime recruiting area, no where to go but up. IF I prove I can win there I'll be in line for another $1,1375,171 job.
I did a google on Groce's salary and was surprised it was only 350k, but I found out there's a catch to it.
So, for the first 2 seasons when Illinois was still paying Groce 1.7M, Groce would be making the 350k. But for years 3-6, his salary goes up quarterly so that he's making 650k annually for a total of 3.3M or 550k AAV.
Still, I suppose it's surprising that Groce was so willing to come back to the MAC after Illinois but maybe he realized that level was a bad fit for him or he didn't have any other realistic offers other than assistant positions and felt he could do better for himself as a mid-major HC?
It was an interesting move.
As for Christian, would he do it again? He did it once and got the BC job so maybe he knows its a quicker path back to the big time? Then again, maybe going from TCU to Ohio wasn't quite the step down it seems to be back then. TCU wasn't in the Big 12, they were in the Mountain West so...I don't know.
Either way, I'd be surprised if he's even giving NIU a second thought.