2026 Coaching Carousel

[Hards Alumni]

It's one of the best jobs in the Big Ten. The scuffling of the back half of Weber's tenure leading into Groce rubbed off a lot of its sheen that Underwood has restored.

Yes, easily one of the best jobs in the B1G

Michigan, MSU, UCLA, Indiana are the top tier with Illinois right behind.

[MU82]

Aside from Groce, every Illinois coach over the last 50 years has had a good stretch of success. Henson and Weber went to Finar Fours; Henson, Self and Underwood went to Elite Eights; Kruger righted the program after it had withered in Henson's later years. All of those coaches were able to attract significant talent.

Kruger and Self saw it as a stepping-stone job. Henson and Weber would have stayed forever but they were fired after their programs eventually stalled. Time will tell about Underwood's staying power; seems like a real good coach.

I think it's a pretty darn good job - a coach can build a long-term winner there.

[Hards Alumni]

Aside from Groce, every Illinois coach over the last 50 years has had a good stretch of success. Henson and Weber went to Finar Fours; Henson, Self and Underwood went to Elite Eights; Kruger righted the program after it had withered in Henson's later years. All of those coaches were able to attract significant talent.

Kruger and Self saw it as a stepping-stone job. Henson and Weber would have stayed forever but they were fired after their programs eventually stalled. Time will tell about Underwood's staying power; seems like a real good coach.

I think it's a pretty darn good job - a coach can build a long-term winner there.

Yes, but if Kansas comes calling for Brad he might take that job.  He'd be perfect there.

That could open Illinois for TJO.

[Pakuni]

Is it hard to fail at Illinois? I would guess it's a middle of the pack Big Ten job. He had them on the bubble most years it looks like, so he wasn't a total failure. I think Underwood just might be that good of a coach.

Fourth best job in the Big 10, according to the coaches.
https://www.on3.com/sites/field-of-68/news/big-ten-basketball-job-rankings/

In the 42 seasons between 1980 and 2012, under four different coaches, the Illini missed the tournament just eight times.
They missed four consecutive years under Groce and then two more while Underwood rebuilt the program.
Lou Henson won there. Lon Kruger won there. Bill Self won there. Bruce Weber won there. Brad Underwood has won there. John Groce did not win there.

[Billy Hoyle]

Yes, easily one of the best jobs in the B1G

Michigan, MSU, UCLA, Indiana are the top tier with Illinois right behind.

Indiana is a football school now.

Purdue, on the other hand...

[MU82]

Yes, but if Kansas comes calling for Brad he might take that job.  He'd be perfect there.

That could open Illinois for TJO.

I know nothing about Underwood and his level of happiness at Illinois. I guess he'd leave for Kansas, unless he's extremely happy at Illinois and would rather not face the pressure of following Self.

TJO almost surely would thrive at Illinois.

[cheebs09]

Appreciate the feedback. Evidently I'm underrating the Illinois job.

[Nukem2]

Yes, but if Kansas comes calling for Brad he might take that job.  He'd be perfect there.

That could open Illinois for TJO.

Underwood is from Kansas though his alma mater is K-State.

[LAZER]

I know nothing about Underwood and his level of happiness at Illinois. I guess he'd leave for Kansas, unless he's extremely happy at Illinois and would rather not face the pressure of following Self.

TJO almost surely would thrive at Illinois.

Obviously would not be surprised if Underwood wanted to leave for a job like KU, but it seems like Illinois sits in a pretty good spot in the new NIL world and that gap between the two jobs isn't as big as it was 5yrs ago. Similarly, TJO is doing great at ISU,but not sure if UofI is enough for him to leave. I'm not familiar where ISU stands with NIL dollars though.

[Hards Alumni]

Obviously would not be surprised if Underwood wanted to leave for a job like KU, but it seems like Illinois sits in a pretty good spot in the new NIL world and that gap between the two jobs isn't as big as it was 5yrs ago. Similarly, TJO is doing great at ISU,but not sure if UofI is enough for him to leave. I'm not familiar where ISU stands with NIL dollars though.

ISU NIL is not great

[The Sultan]

If I were Kansas, I would go for TJO rather than Underwood. Underwood is only a year younger than Self. TJO can really coach and I think would knock it out of the park in Lawrence.

[WhiteTrash]

If I were Kansas, I would go for TJO rather than Underwood. Underwood is only a year younger than Self. TJO can really coach and I think would knock it out of the park in Lawrence.

Does TJO have the required "slimy" factor required at KU; because if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying at KU.

[Zog from Margo]

Does TJO have the required "slimy" factor required at KU; because if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying at KU.

I'm still not clear on how one cheats under the current rules.

[WhiteTrash]

I'm still not clear on how one cheats under the current rules.

You're probably correct judging on KU recent record, but where there is a will there is a way.

[Uncle Rico]

Does TJO have the required "slimy" factor required at KU; because if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying at KU.

He's "cheated" at Iowa State, so probaly

[Billy Hoyle]

I'm still not clear on how one cheats under the current rules.

tampering is pretty much all that is left and the Big Ten is pushing for that to be allowed (provided it's one of their schools doing the tampering).

[Small Orange Soda]

Fourth best job in the Big 10, according to the coaches.
https://www.on3.com/sites/field-of-68/news/big-ten-basketball-job-rankings/

In the 42 seasons between 1980 and 2012, under four different coaches, the Illini missed the tournament just eight times.
They missed four consecutive years under Groce and then two more while Underwood rebuilt the program.
Lou Henson won there. Lon Kruger won there. Bill Self won there. Bruce Weber won there. Brad Underwood has won there. John Groce did not win there.

Might want to check your math again there, Chief.

#FakeNews #Lies #Pickleball #SmallPickle #Sad

[Pakuni]

Might want to check your math again there, Chief.

#FakeNews #Lies #Pickleball #SmallPickle #Sad

OK. 32.

[Uncle Rico]

Hubert Davis out at UNC.

[WhiteTrash]

Hubert Davis out at UNC.

that will be an interesting hire. Could set off a big chain reaction.

[Uncle Rico]

that will be an interesting hire. Could set off a big chain reaction.

Maybe?  3 names popping up are TJO, Byington & Oats.  None of those coach at basketball hotbeds.  Replacing one of those 3 doesn't feel like a lot of other power conference schools have to sweat.

I'd hire Byington out of those 3.

[MuggsyB]

Hubert Davis out at UNC.

The dominoes will be interesting.  I'd be surprised if they go with Billy Donovan.  My guess is Golden or T.J Otz.

[Pakuni]

Maybe?  3 names popping up are TJO, Byington & Oats.  None of those coach at basketball hotbeds.  Replacing one of those 3 doesn't feel like a lot of other power conference schools have to sweat.

I'd hire Byington out of those 3.

Todd Golden is the favorite at Draft Kings.
Kalshi has TJO #1, Billy Donovan #2.

[WhiteTrash]

The dominoes will be interesting.  I'd be surprised if they go with Billy Donovan.  My guess is Golden or T.J Otz.

I think Donovan would listen. I think he'd be fantastic back in college.
Golden seems to be too tainted for UNC. Kansas would be a better fit.

[Uncle Rico]

Todd Golden is the favorite at Draft Kings.
Kalshi has TJO #1, Billy Donovan #2.

Norlander's piece on CBS mentioned this is one job that could entice Donovan back to college.  I have my doubts.

Norlander also mentioned Dusty May and Tommy Lloyd.  Like Golden, I'm not sure UNC is that much better as a job other than history.