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Groce to Illinois

Da Coach said:
Articles about the press conference yesterday for John Groce-
http://www.sj-r.com/blogs/illinitalk/x777659241/Groce-heads-straight-into-an-overhaul
http://www.dailyillini.com/index.ph...e_hired_as_new_illinois_mens_basketball_coach

A couple worrisome things if you are an Illinois fan- Not only was Jerrance Howard, the interim Illinois head coach, not present at the press conference, Groce said he has not even met with or talked to Jerrance Howard yet. He said nice things about Howard when asked about him, but then he said this when asked if he might keep Howard on the staff as one of his assistant coaches-
“I know he’s a tremendous recruiter and coach and a really good person,” Groce said after the press conference. “I’ve always had great respect for him and his recruiting.”
He added he will try to assemble his staff as quickly as he can but wants to make sure the “right people are on the bus.”

Most Illinois insiders believe this is more evidence that JH will not be at Illinois next season. These comments sound a lot like when your friend wants you to go on a blind date and tells you the girl has a great personality.

Even more concerning for Illini fans was the almost total absence at the press conference of the basketball players. Only 2 players showed up at the press conference (all were invited), Tyler Griffey and D.J. Richardson. Those 2 will be seniors next season, and seem like the 2 players least likely to transfer, since their options are minimal with just 1 season left to play. None of the other players attended. The Illinois freshmen had made public statements supporting Jerrance Howard as head coach, so maybe they were ticked off. Could some of them be planning to leave? D.J Richardson was asked by a reporter and said he expects everyone to stay, but that's what they always say initially.

Here is one other item that held up the final agreement to hire Groce- Jerrance Howard was well compensated as an assistant coach under Bruce Weber. It has been reported that he was one of the highest paid assistants in D1. Apparently part of the negotiation with John Groce hit a snag when he demanded compensation for his own top assistant at the same level as Jerrance Howard (see page 2)-
http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/20...uld-know-its-place-as-coaches-say-no/a5l1j1a/
Click to expand...

DC... I can't help thinking about what you said in this post. It all sounds strange to me. Gives me some thoughts...

Howard was one of the highest paid assistants in D1.
Groce hasn't talked with Howard yet.
The freshmen players tweeted they wanted Howard as head coach.
Howard (even complimented by Groce) is a tremendous recruiter.
No players at the presser except for would be seniors (and the ones without any option to transfer and be able to play elsewhere).

Hmmmmm....

Sounds to me like Howard is holding ALL the cards. Maybe Groce hasn't talked with Howard yet because Howard hasn't returned the call. Maybe Howard is taking his recruiting ties AND some Illini players with HIM to wherever he may land. Gotta be some programs out there needing to reload with some talented players willing to leave and be with someone they know and like (in Howard). And Howard can sell that "package" to get him an even more "recognizable" Top Assistant position with even MORE pay. This will all have to shake out over a few weeks as programs lose head coaches or top assistants to other coaching jobs. And heck... he can then throw whatever offers he has back in Groce's lap and let Groce decide if he can match or up the offer.

Hmmmmm...

Maybe Howard is taking the package deal to programs looking to hire a head coach!
 
I don't know that I would read too much into all that. Maybe Howard goes to Kansas or Kentucky as an assistant.....who does Illinois have that's going to play at either of those places?.........
 
lefty said:
I don't know that I would read too much into all that. Maybe Howard goes to Kansas or Kentucky as an assistant.....who does Illinois have that's going to play at either of those places?.........
Click to expand...

I agree with you and understand the logical move to a place like UK or KU. But then again... what more does he bring to the table? UK and KU seem to be getting enough top talent without him. And they have gotten to the Final 4 without him. And both those teams have a lot of young players.

I'm thinking he might be fishing for a head coaching job. Maybe stay in the midwest... take some players with him (help him land a job better than Eastern). Might make it easier to have success in year 2. And within 3 years, he's landing a bigger gig in a BCS league. So I'm thinking... he might still want to stay in the midwest. Miami (Oh)? Western Ky? Heck - even Ohio U?
 
MacabreMob said:
I agree with you and understand the logical move to a place like UK or KU. But then again... what more does he bring to the table? UK and KU seem to be getting enough top talent without him. And they have gotten to the Final 4 without him. And both those teams have a lot of young players.

I'm thinking he might be fishing for a head coaching job. Maybe stay in the midwest... take some players with him (help him land a job better than Eastern). Might make it easier to have success in year 2. And within 3 years, he's landing a bigger gig in a BCS league. So I'm thinking... he might still want to stay in the midwest. Miami (Oh)? Western Ky? Heck - even Ohio U?
Click to expand...

Yeah...I wondered that too......and that could be possible I guess....I don't think there are many mid-majors ready to give the whole enchilada to Howard yet.

I don't know, times are crazy...it will be interesting to see what happens
 
Many Illini fans find it odd and even ominous that neither Jerrance Howard nor most of the players were present at the introduction of the new head coach - even though hundreds of others were....
What with a few of the comments from the Chicago high school coaches, I can smell a power struggle coming........

BTW -- anyone hear what's happeinging with Wayne McClain?? Does Groce want to keep him on board to preserve the legendary Peoria Pipeline?
 
tornado said:
Many Illini fans find it odd and even ominous that neither Jerrance Howard nor most of the players were present at the introduction of the new head coach - even though hundreds of others were....
What with a few of the comments from the Chicago high school coaches, I can smell a power struggle coming........

BTW -- anyone hear what's happeinging with Wayne McClain?? Does Groce want to keep him on board to preserve the legendary Peoria Pipeline?
Click to expand...

Didn't sound like it from the article this morning....seems like it would be a good idea to keep JH or get someone out of Chicago..and maybe his current assistant will be good enough
 
Thank God there is another relatively local College MBB coaching change story to take over Forum members analysis and debate! :lol:
 
Howard was starting to get better players but they were still boys among men compared to the rest of the big 10. The big 10 is stacked with pretty good coaches right now, and it's not a friendly place for a major conference apprenticeship program.
 
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