Thought the same when I saw that on twitter. Remember the good ole days when basketball was fun? Kareem Rush v Frank Williams was good times.
Frank's the reason I'm an Illinois fan. So excited about DaMonte's commitment. Hopefully we land Goodwin and Tilmon, too.
That's ok. At this point perception matters a whole lot and an overrated 5 star is just worlds better than an underrated 3 star.
I mean... you're smart enough to know this was never going to play-out any other way. Should be interesting to see if we add a graduate transfer at C/PF or PG. We need help
Tom VanHaaren @TomVH 2m2 minutes ago Illinois just announced that head coach Bill Cubit has been dismissed after one season as interim coach.
Top this, college football. Fire head coach 7 days before 1st game. Extend interim for 2 years. Then fire interim 6 days before spring ball.
I'm guessing Whitman pitched a hire and this has been in the works. I've seen the name Leslie Frazier kicked around
You have to be one desperate motherfucker to take over a team like this. Either a really young coach, or some washed up NFL guy
Well it's probably his only chance. I mean, would he really rather go to Purdue next season? That's probably the only other B10 job that'll open next season I have to add that I'm not rooting for him to be the hire. He has embarrassing slogans and looks like a clown at times.
Why? He'd have the undying support of the AD, a former Illini football player, who also just started and will almost certainly kickstart the facilities upgrade they need. He'd have a clear runway of at least 5 years to get set and would be in the soft underbelly of the Big Ten West where it won't take a ton to get up to 8-4 by like year 3. There is support for the University of Illinois in Illinois, if they can tap into it. Maybe Fleck can do better next offseason, but maybe not.
Its the worst, or second worst job in the conference. His AD is a 37 year old D3 guy who just made the brilliant decision to fire his coach and announce it in a press release before telling the team. There's no reason any hot name would take that job. This is the type of job Pete Lembo would have taken if he didn't already bolt for Maryland.
I like what taylor said. Illinois is a bad job now, but it could be much better. We've just hired a bunch of awful coaches.
Who cares about the press release vs. the team meeting? At least he told Cubit first. A good football hire, which any coach assumes he is, and nobody remembers. Most of the big schools came open last year, and of the likely jobs coming open this year: Texas, LSU, Auburn, West Virgina, etc., probably only WVU is hiring a MAC head coach. They need facilities, but the plans are there, and the AD he'll have the job for at least 5+ years.
That said, I doubt Fleck is on the list. Not with guys like Tedford, Schiano, Leslie Frazier and others out there and likely available.
So are just the cubits gone or the whole staff? Talked to coach Bellamy daily about a 2017 prospect of mine and he went silent a week or so ago. Wondering if coincidence or if he is also being let go
Purdue's facilities will be done in time for 2017 season That being considered which is a better job: Illini or Purdue?
There's no reason you can't. You can win anywhere at this point in CFB. You just have to hire the right coach, and then be willing to pay him once you find him (see MSU with Dantonio).
Ryan BakerVerified account @RyanBakerMedia 5m5 minutes agoChicago, IL Some credible sources are telling me Lovie Smith will be the next #Illini head football coach. @cbschicago
I love the lovie smith hire for many reasons one being we don't have to deal with the minority coach issue anymore.
Just heard Whitman on the Score talking about the hire. I'm super pumped. Said he started talking to Lovie two weeks ago, had no prior contact with him. One hell of a sales job by Whitman.