You've heard the expression "win the news conference." Well, for the University of Illinois and the Illini basketball coaching hire of John Groce, that ship sailed weeks ago. Any time you get your sixth (possibly seventh) choice in a men's basketball coach at a basketball school, your news conference is...well, you just hope there's no pitchforks and flaming torches. Most … [Read more...] about Illini basketball introduces John Groce: I hope reality is inverse of press conference
illini coaching candidates
Your next Illini basketball coach: Ohio’s John Groce
It's not official yet, but it's looking very likely that Illini Nation will have to settle for their sixth choice in a head coaching candidate, a man with a 34-30 career record in the MAC. Ohio Bobcats coach John Groce could be introduced as Bruce Weber's successor in the next couple days. And he's not a terrible hire, it just means that this basketball hiring process has … [Read more...] about Your next Illini basketball coach: Ohio’s John Groce
Top Illini head coaching candidates: non Shaka Smart variety
Well, I didn't see that one coming. Shaka Smart had an offer of $2.5 million plus, doubling his salary, and a chance at a top 20 national job in what was the nation's best conference this year. And he had a chance to step up from mid-major to high-major in the Big Ten. I've been to Richmond, Virginia a couple times so I can tell you- this denial was shocking. The only way … [Read more...] about Top Illini head coaching candidates: non Shaka Smart variety