Illinois fires Groce

[muballbuster]

Any Chance there might be a transfer or a player released that MU would have interest in?  Highly rated recruiting class.


The John Groce era is over at Illinois. Many felt this was a pivotal season for Groce, who was under pressure and scrutiny when the 2016-17 season dawned. Well, on Saturday afternoon, A.D. Josh Whitman made it official, firing the coach he inherited. "I want to thank John Groce and his staff for their tireless efforts over these past five years," Whitman said in a release. "In many ways, John is a model leader. He exudes optimism and tackles every day with unbelievable energy. He has the highest integrity." Bottom line: Groce, who compiled a 95-75 record overall, including 37-53 in Big Ten play, probably needed to earn an NCAA bid in his fifth season to keep his job. Alas, that didn't happen with Illinois needing to make a run in the Big Ten tourney but instead getting knocked out in its first game by Michigan. "Under his leadership, regrettably, we were not able to sustain the level of competitive excellence that we expect at the University of Illinois. But that should do nothing to detract from the many wonderful things John has done on behalf of Illinois Basketball during his tenure." Groce had two years remaining on his contract and will receive the balance of payment due, approximately $1.7. million. As for the immediate future, assistant coach Jamall Walker has been elevated to interim head coach. What's next, though? Whitman was bold when he made a football coaching change shortly after landing the A.D. job last winter, canning Bill Cubit just moments into his new gig and quickly tabbing former NFL coach Lovie Smith. It was an emphatic move that excited the fan base. Will Whitman make another splashy hire? That may be what's needed to generate interest in a middling basketball program that can't gain traction. But competition for big-name coaches is fierce. And some of those may be leery of taking the Illinois job. Names that have been speculated are Xavier's Chris Mack, Middle Tennessee's Kermit Davis, Dayton's Archie Miller, Wichita State's Gregg Marshall, Utah's Larry Krystkowiak, UNC Wilmington's Kevin Keatts, Cincinnati's Mick Cronin, Virginia's Tony Bennett, SMU's Tim Jankovich and Cal's Cuonzo Martin, among others. Whomever Illinois lands will inherit a solid program. The basketball venue has undergone a recent renovation. And Illinois traditionally is known as a basketball school, making the Final Four as recently as 2005. Plus, the recruiting base is solid, too. The roster will take some big hits, however. The best player in wing Malcolm Hill is gone along with guard Tracy Abrams and big man Maverick Morgan. But talent is back in the form of forwards Michael Finke, Leron Black, Kipper Nichols and exciting freshman point man Te'Jon Lucas along with guard Jalen Coleman-Lands. And Groce had the makings of one of the top recruiting classes in the Big Ten led by 6-10 Jeremiah Tilmon, a five-star recruit. The class also includes four-stars in guards Trent Frazier and Da'Monte Williams, along with three-star guard Javon Pickett. Can the new coach hold that class together? Groce arrived in Champaign amid great expectations after Bruce Weber was let go. Groce forged an 85-56 mark at Ohio University in four seasons, playing in two NCAA tourneys. His Bobcats reached their apex in his final season in 2011-12, going 29-8 and reaching the Sweet 16. But Groce couldn't duplicate that success at Illinois. Groce failed to land an NCAA bid each of the last four years. The program hasn't gone that long without a Big Dance appearance since missing the event from 1964-1980. The Fighting Illini reached the NCAA tourney Groce's first season during a 23-13 campaign. But it was downhill from there. NIT bids followed each of the next two years. Then, Illinois finished with a losing mark in 2015-16 (15-19) before going 18-13 overall and 8-10 in the Big Ten this season. Groce's best finish in the Big Ten was a pair of ties for seventh place in 2013 and 2015. He leaves campus with a 95-74 overall record and a 37-53 Big Ten mark. - See more at: http://btn.com/2017/03/11/illinois-fires-mens-basketball-coach-john-groce/#sthash.0h5W1pyM.dpuf

[Dr. Blackheart]

Hope he has a better plan than when he hired Lovie.

[GGGG]

Apparently they offered Monty Williams the job and he turned them down.  Monty Williams is basically the basketball equivalent of Lovie Smith.  Decent, not great coach with no college experience.

[brewcity77]

Love some of the names they mention. Chris Mack, Tony Bennett, Archie Miller, do they realize they are Illinois, not Kansas?

Would love Wojo to reach out to Tillmon. He'd match our needs of an athletic, defense first big man.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Love some of the names they mention. Chris Mack, Tony Bennett, Archie Miller, do they realize they are Illinois, not Kansas?

Would love Wojo to reach out to Tillmon. He'd match our needs of an athletic, defense first big man.

Why wouldnt Archie leave Dayton for Illinois? I know he could probably get a bigger gig down the road but its not that long ago where Illinois was winning the Big 10 almost every year.

[PGsHeroes32]

Why wouldnt Archie leave Dayton for Illinois? I know he could probably get a bigger gig down the road but its not that long ago where Illinois was winning the Big 10 almost every year.

Because if he leaves Dayton before a big time job opens up

He's going to his alma mater

Why go to Illinois? He can basically get any job he wants

[GGGG]

I actually think this could be the job that Marshall would look at. 

[brewcity77]

Why wouldnt Archie leave Dayton for Illinois? I know he could probably get a bigger gig down the road but its not that long ago where Illinois was winning the Big 10 almost every year.

He's already turned down better jobs than that. It'll be NC State or a borderline blue blood. No way do I see him going to Illinois. What does Illinois offer that Florida, Tennessee, or UNLV do not?

[MuMark]

Has Archie been mentioned as a possibility at IU assuming they let Crean go?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

He's already turned down better jobs than that. It'll be NC State or a borderline blue blood. No way do I see him going to Illinois. What does Illinois offer that Florida, Tennessee, or UNLV do not?

A lot more than Tennessee and UNLV. Hard to believe but UNLV finished last in the MWC this year. Didnt know he was offered the Florida job, cant believe he turned that one down.

[Tugg Speedman]

Word is Monty Williams, OKC thunder top assistant under Donovan, and former NO pelicans head coach already turned them down.

[Tugg Speedman]

I seem to have heard around here that one cannot tell how good a coach will be until they had five years at the post.

Groce just finished his fifth year and now he's unemployed. 

Question answered!

[bradley center bat]

He's already turned down better jobs than that. It'll be NC State or a borderline blue blood. No way do I see him going to Illinois. What does Illinois offer that Florida, Tennessee, or UNLV do not?

Chicago

[GGGG]

Word is Monty Williams, OKC thunder top assistant under Donovan, and former NO pelicans head coach already turned them down.

I said the very same thing, in this very same topic, less than a half hour ago.

[GGGG]

Chicago

Is that a good thing?

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Chicago

As much a negative as it is a positive. #shady

[jsglow]

So if I'm remembering the MU situation when Buzz left, all those recruits would likely be granted their release immediately upon request.

[Tugg Speedman]

I said the very same thing, in this very same topic, less than a half hour ago.

Sorry I missed that.

And you're correct, Williams was the basketball version of Lovie

[cheebs09]

So if I'm remembering the MU situation when Buzz left, all those recruits would likely be granted their release immediately upon request.

I think we've typically done waiting until they talk to the new coach.

[nyg]

So if I'm remembering the MU situation when Buzz left, all those recruits would likely be granted their release immediately upon request.

Usually yes, with no restrictions.

Tilmon is top 25 recruit and was recruited by blue bloods and his hometown, SLU.
Probably wait to see who they hire, but look for the big boys to come calling. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I could see Hoiberg ending up there after the Bulls (hopefully) fire him this year.

[cheebs09]

Would it be a possible Crean landing spot? Different administration I assume, but didn't he almost go there once?

[GGGG]

I could see Hoiberg ending up there after the Bulls (hopefully) fire him this year.

They won't wait that long.

[muguru]

Doesn't sound like any of the recruits are going to de commit.

[Pakuni]

He's already turned down better jobs than that. It'll be NC State or a borderline blue blood. No way do I see him going to Illinois. What does Illinois offer that Florida, Tennessee, or UNLV do not?

Illinois, with the right coach (see Bill Self, Lou Henson) can be a monster of a program. Great recruiting territory (not just Chicago, but Peoria and St. Louis), major conference, big bankroll, big alumni base, quality facilities, lots of potential TV exposure, solid tradition, etc. The only school of the three you mention that can compare is Florida.