2012 Coaching Carousel

[jake44np]

Quote: Originally Posted by CardsFan27

After Huggins was let go when Andy Kennedy was interim for a year is when, UC fans were wanting Kennedy kept on after overachieving what the expectations were that season, Thomas opted to bring in his own guy in Cronin than stick with Kennedy and his assistants (Martin). 4 years before Groce: 40-29 (1 NCAA appearance, 0 NCAA wins) 4 years with Groce: 34-30 (2 NCAA appearances, 3 NCAA wins) Groce's MAC record is not confidence inspiring at all but hard to judge considering I have no idea how Ohio's expectations were when Groce took over (ex. did a lot of key guys graduate or did they underachieve or what), also don't know the circumstances on why the current Ohio coach opted to leave for a job at a smaller school (wasn't fired). I'm definitely hesitant but for the most part the media seems to think hes a good hire, he has been part of some successful programs and is supposedly a strong recruiter, is he a strong enough recruiter to get into the Chicago Public League? We'll see I have my doubts though. Theus hasn't really been considered a serious candidate to this point, it is expected that if Groce backs out (and who would blame him at this point) that Theus would be the next guy and he would accept. Thing with Theus is though he has interviewed for a lot of jobs over the past few years and hasn't been hired so have to wonder what the deal is there. Yeah the Theus stuff is mostly coming from former players and Lou Henson, they think he is the best man for the job, the board member who had a meltdown yesterday about the hiring process also wants Theus or Craig Robinson. The more I have read and heard about Groce I have warmed up a lot (also probably because I have come to the realization he is the best we can realistically do). He seems to relate well to his players, they play hard for him, he motivates, has shown he can win tournament games (has won three times as many as Weber has in the past 4 years) and he learned under Matta so I have optimism the guy knows how to recruit. Only thing I know for sure is this hiring process has been an absolute trainwreck.

He didnt fire Martin.
Martin was on Kennedy's staff and Kennedy was only the interim coach.
Kennedy only had a one year contract and was not brought back to be the head coach.
Your really reaching by saying Thomas fired Martin. He was not fired. He would have left anyway as Huggins was hired at KS right after UC decided to hire Cronin. Believe me Martin was going to go with Huggins to KS regardless of what happened at UC. If Kennedy would have been kept on at UC Martin was still leaving for KS with Huggs.

[CardsFan27]

Quote: Originally Posted by jake44np

He didnt fire Martin. Martin was on Kennedy's staff and Kennedy was only the interim coach. Kennedy only had a one year contract and was not brought back to be the head coach. Your really reaching by saying Thomas fired Martin. He was not fired. He would have left anyway as Huggins was hired at KS right after UC decided to hire Cronin. Believe me Martin was going to go with Huggins to KS regardless of what happened at UC. If Kennedy would have been kept on at UC Martin was still leaving for KS with Huggs.

Regardless my point is Mike Thomas is not well liked by his former employees whether he fired them or not, the ones he fired hate him for obvious reasons, even the ones he didn't fire didn't like working under him.

Back to Illinois, its starting to sound like John Groce is having second thoughts and may back out. Let me say that regardless of the fact I'm a diehard Illinois fan that if I were in his shoes I would probably tell the U of I to go F themselves. It has been confirmed now that a press conference was scheduled yesterday, Groce was flown in, then because of one board member this process goes from already being awful to a complete circus.

John Groce seems like a good guy and he deserves better than this, if he opts to stay at Ohio (or take a job other than Illinois) I say good for him, why would anyone want to step into this situation is beyond me, I am completely embarrassed by the actions of this school.

I hope Groce sticks it out and accepts but if he doesn't I completely understand and will wish him the best.

[Mo]

John Groce to Illinois is a done deal, source told CBSSports. News Conference likely tomorrow.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) March 29, 2012

[CardsFan27]

Groce to Illinois official

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/11585...all-coach.html

Not the homerun hire everyone was hoping for but realistically seems to be the best we could do, I'll be anxious to see who fills out his staff, hope he can convince Jerrance Howard to stay on but I think Jerrance might opt to go elsewhere.

I'm excited and look forward to seeing how Groce does at Illinois, I can see next year being a decent season if the '11 class can take a big step forward, and if Meyers Leonard stays (not likely).

[CardsFan27]

Danny Manning to be head coach at Tulsa.

Possible opening on Self's staff for Jerrance Howard, also rumors Kentucky will be interested in Howard if one of their assistants takes a head coaching job elsewhere, Calipari has already tried to hire Jerrance twice but he opted to stay at Illinois and with Weber.

[CardsFan27]

Here's a good article about Groce from ESPNChicago, writer is an OU grad so he follows them closely and has followed Groce's career there as a result:

http://espn.go.com/chicago/ncb/story...n-groce-hiring

[Marino]

Illinois with the NCSU style job hiring. Hopefully Groce turns out as good for y'all as Gottfried has been for us.

[CardsFan27]

Quote: Originally Posted by Marino

Illinois with the NCSU style job hiring. Hopefully Groce turns out as good for y'all as Gottfried has been for us.

Lots of similarities for sure, here's to hoping it does.

[SidVish]

Shannon Ryan ‏ @sryantribune
For the early birds: Sources confirm that John Groce and Illinois have reached a deal. http://trib.in/HgMZFm Expect press conference today.

[SidVish]

It looks like Manning will become Tulsa's new basketball coach.

http://www.kansan.com/news/2012/mar/...sition/?sports

Barry Hinson to Southern Illinois.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...khS_story.html