Shaka Smart turns down Illinois

[Silkk the Shaka]

What I find odd is apparently the Illinois AD offering out assistant basketball coaching positions before he has a head coach.  If he did, Shaka turning Illinois down makes far more sense then it did yesterday.

Yeah, that's really odd too.  I would think it makes a lot more sense to let the HC pick his staff.

And why would Illinois need Smith as an assistant coach?  They actually are recruiting Chicago very well with Howard.  Is Howard pulling a Buzz, i.e. "If you'd like me to stay as HC, I'd love to, but if you want to go another direction for HC, I'll be on my way."

Another scenario, I suppose, could be that Howard is pulling a Buzz and Shaka needed reassurance that he will have an inroads into Chicago recruiting, and Illinois tried to hire Smith to give Shaka that assurance, and when they couldn't get Smith, Shaka said "no thanks".  The coolest possibility about this is that it suggests that Howard will be available, if, for example, Benford leaves for a HC job.

Good points here again.  Those are probably the only scenarios in which the AD's actions make sense.  It still doesn't make sense to me that Smith turned down the assistant job because he wasn't offered the head job.  Maybe it's a bargaining ploy or something?

[Silkk the Shaka]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Wade_(basketball)

Bob Wade, a high school coach for Dunbar, Baltimore took over the Maryland job after Lefty Dreisell was fired in 1986.  This was after the Len Bias incident.  Wade's first year at Maryland was worst in history.  Attached WIKI writeup because it actually has some interesting facts.

Thanks, that was interesting.  Turned out to be an unmitigated disaster.  Are there any success stories jumping from head coach in high school to head coach at a major program?  It just seems like there's no way that would ever work out well.  The college job is completely different.

[Dawson Rental]

Good ole Bob soon realized that the NCAA investigates improper behavior a little more rigorously than the Maryland high school association  Illinois would be monumentally stupid to hire him as a coach...they won't do it.

I believe that nyg was explaining why Robert Smith wouldn't be chosen by Illinois, not Bob Wade.

[GGGG]

I believe that nyg was explaining why Robert Smith wouldn't be chosen by Illinois, not Bob Wade.

I know...I was mixing up my pronouns.

[nyg]

The real reason Wade was hired was to sign the recruits out of Baltimore, which at the time had one of the best, if not the best, AAU programs in the country.  Probably the same reason why the Illini want to have Smith on board.  Was just way over his head and then the Gary Williams era started. 

[Bieberhole69]

Article from Preps Bullseye on the Illinois job, has this quote

"Another big name that has been rumored and coveted amongst many is Marquette head coach Buzz Williams.  However, we have reason to believe that Williams will not be coming to Illinois.  That is because a reliable source who is close to the situation has told us that Williams feels a strong sense of loyalty to his current players and therefore if he were to leave it would in all likelihood not be until after the 2012-13 season.  We have also been told that Williams' buyout clause was renegotiated last summer and that it is considerably larger than the 100,000 figure that was reported elsewhere."

http://ilprepbullseye.com/Plan_B_Illini.html

[Bocephys]

Article from Preps Bullseye on the Illinois job, has this quote

"Another big name that has been rumored and coveted amongst many is Marquette head coach Buzz Williams.  However, we have reason to believe that Williams will not be coming to Illinois.  That is because a reliable source who is close to the situation has told us that Williams feels a strong sense of loyalty to his current players and therefore if he were to leave it would in all likelihood not be until after the 2012-13 season.  We have also been told that Williams' buyout clause was renegotiated last summer and that it is considerably larger than the 100,000 figure that was reported elsewhere."

http://ilprepbullseye.com/Plan_B_Illini.html

So he's expected to not feel as loyal to the players after next season?

[warriorchick]

So he's expected to not feel as loyal to the players after next season?

I choose to interpret that comment (assuming it is accurate) as "never say never, except in regards to next season".

[GGGG]

And why cut off any leverage you have at the knees.  IOW, don't worry about next year.  He isn't going anywhere this year.

[TallTitan34]

Shaka is very good in his commentary role on TBS tonight.

[Aughnanure]

Thanks, that was interesting.  Turned out to be an unmitigated disaster.  Are there any success stories jumping from head coach in high school to head coach at a major program?  It just seems like there's no way that would ever work out well.  The college job is completely different.

Frank Martin is close. Was a big-time HS coach in Miami. Was Asst coach to Huggins at K-State for one year before taking over.

[Golden Avalanche]

Frank Martin is close. Was a big-time HS coach in Miami. Was Asst coach to Huggins at K-State for one year before taking over.

Martin was also kicked out of Florida athletics for his blatant disregard for rules so it takes the shine off his success at Miami.