Let me be clear though...a "bigger name" wasn't what I was after...it was the "experience" at stabilizing a locker room and dealing with the youngsters the Sox needed to develop that I was interested in. I could have been content with a surprise name if it met those standards.

 

A "bigger name" was a bit of a broad statement, as there were other factors in play as you mentioned. My point still stands that this is not the first or last time a fanbase has been critical of a coaching hire.

Which everyone agrees he's very good at.

 

For those against the Groce hire, I agree, it's not exciting. But what the hell is the alternative? Reggie Theus? .

 

Um, did you watch Hang Time? His coaching of the Deering Tornadoes was remarkable.

Um, did you watch Hang Time? His coaching of the Deering Tornadoes was remarkable.

 

Was it? That team should have been shooting nothing but 3s given that the 3-pt line was only 15 feet out.

Klee and Prep Bullseye saying Jerrance is gone if Groce is hired. Even better.

Was it? That team should have been shooting nothing but 3s given that the 3-pt line was only 15 feet out.

 

They won titles under him, he definitely did a better job than Dick Butkus.

At what point do you chalk up your disappointment to the fact you have unrealistic expectations?

 

Was Weber really that big of a hire? 2 conference titles in the MVC (1 shared) 3 average seasons and 2 tourney appearances with 1 sweet sixteen. Groce's year this season mirrors alot of Webers second to last season at SIU. Took a team from under .500 to 29-8 with a sweet sixteen run. 11-5 in conference to Webers 14-4.

Edited March 27, 201214 yr by RockRaines

At what point do you chalk up your disappointment to the fact you have unrealistic expectations?

 

^^^

 

The really good sounding coaches aren't in hiding so that you can't happen to think of them. What's out there is out there.

 

Would it make the MAC haters feel better if we pretend this guy didn't coach at Ohio? Let's just say he was a highly successful lead recruiter at a top program.

At what point do you chalk up your disappointment to the fact you have unrealistic expectations?

 

Was Weber really that big of a hire? 2 conference titles in the MVC (1 shared) 3 average seasons and 2 tourney appearances with 1 sweet sixteen. Groce's year this season mirrors alot of Webers second to last season at SIU. Took a team from under .500 to 29-8 with a sweet sixteen run. 11-5 in conference to Webers 14-4.

Weber coached in the far superior MVC, won at a much better rate, won the league twice, and went to the sweet sixteen. Groce is 34 and 30 in the MAC, never finished higher than third, and did go to the sweet sixteen. Oh yeah, Weber coached in the state while Groce never has. Yeah, I think its safe to say Bruce Weber was a lot better hire than John Groce

Klee and Prep Bullseye saying Jerrance is gone if Groce is hired. Even better.

 

that doesn't make much sense to me, unless he's got some beef with Groce. Jerrance has said since day one he wants to stay at Illinois. Not sure why the coach would matter.

Wesley Lowery ‏ @WesleyLowery

Sources have told @ThePostSports that Groce to Illinois is a "done deal" #grocewatch

Wesley Lowery ‏ @WesleyLowery

Sources have told @ThePostSports that Groce to Illinois is a "done deal" #grocewatch

 

yeah, press conf at 3pm.

Klee and Prep Bullseye saying Jerrance is gone if Groce is hired. Even better.

 

 

Jerrance would have been a better hire than Groce.

Jerrance would have been a better hire than Groce.

 

LOL, now we've officially gone off the deep end.

That is the only reason I can think that Jerrance would leave, feeling slighted that they picked Groce over him.

 

I still think Collins is better than Groce, but well never know.

LOL, now we've officially gone off the deep end.

Seriously.

 

I get Groce isn't a sexy hire, but you have to trust Thomas and his ability to evaluate coaching talent in the lesser conferences. He's done it before, and now we have to see if it's legit or he just got lucky beforehand.

 

We went after the big names, and they didn't want to come here, for whatever reason (probably because the school admin is f***ED up right now). Thus, we have to rely on Thomas and his ability to pick good, young talented coaches.

That is the only reason I can think that Jerrance would leave, feeling slighted that they picked Groce over him.

 

I still think Collins is better than Groce, but well never know.

Jerrance is being ridiculous than, Groce has a much better pedigree than him.

 

Collins would be a decent look at, but Thomas always hires head coaches, not assistants.

There is still some hope!

 

Illinois Basketball ‏ @IlliniHoops

Contrary to reports/sources, there will not be an #Illini press conference today.

 

 

Jerrance would have been a better hire than Groce.

Jerrance would have been one of the worst possible hires

 

 

But perhaps you're right. At least we don't know yet whether or not he is a mediocre head coach, like Groce has proven to be, and he at least has in state connections, unlike Groce. I mean if we are going to hire a guy for simply being a good assistant coach, might as well be our own.

And what kills me is that the one thing that you have to have in college sports is a recruiter, and by all accounts, from just about everyone, the guy recruits really, really well.

I'm not 100% thrilled, but they could have done much worse. He seems like a guy that really wants the job. With Shaka or Stevens, unless they had immediate success, I think you'd have to be concerned about them taking off in 4-5 years.

There is still some hope!

 

Illinois Basketball ‏ @IlliniHoops

Contrary to reports/sources, there will not be an #Illini press conference today.

Nice.

And what kills me is that the one thing that you have to have in college sports is a recruiter, and by all accounts, from just about everyone, the guy recruits really, really well.

I'm not 100% thrilled, but they could have done much worse. He seems like a guy that really wants the job. With Shaka or Stevens, unless they had immediate success, I think you'd have to be concerned about them taking off in 4-5 years.

If they do take him, I'll choose to look at the positives. He was a great recruiter, his team seemed to really care about him, he got the most of his players in big moments, and you have to love his intensity and desire to win. He really seems to instill confidence in his players.

When is the last time a Big Ten school hired a MAC coach? I honestly don't know. I know Geno Ford won the conference two years in a row and got rewarded with the job at Bradley.

Evan Turner @thekidet

Coach Groce's offense is legit. Built for guards. The big ten is going to get even better in the future. Yessir

 

Evan Turner @thekidet

@BP3 you're going to enjoy Groce's offense if he's your new coach, believe me!

ha, every major person at Illinois is denying that any decision has been made. What the hell happened?

Seth Davis ‏ @SethDavisHoops

"People" have good jobs. AD also scaring em away RT @Devblair: why does it seem people are staying clear of the Illinois job?