Shaka Smart Rumor

[HuskyOfLeisure]

As intrigued as I am about Shaka, I think he might have planted this rumor himself to help in the negotiations with Illinios. I dont think he would want to wait another year if he could be the head guy now.

 

[uconnfan68]

Illinois men's basketball may well be the ultimate what should be job in sports. They should be able to put together a quality team without really trying and dominate with a reasonable effort. Somehow nothing has ever worked for more than a stray few seasons here and there.

I can remember watching an Illinois high school tournament game during boot camp at Great Lakes, IL, a very long time ago. No sound, only picture in the smoking lounge with 150 other smokers (2 companies). Through the haze I thought it was a college game, based on having just watched UConn a few months prior to it. They were playing way over the rim.

 

[Burnsbros23]

People over rate the Illinois job all the time. It is a really really good job top 20 or so. But people think it is a top 10 job its not. The Chicago connection is overrated. Chicago is an open city and send their players all over. Also its long been known that the Chicago Public League has some dirty figures in it.

Illinois has ridiculous amounts of talent, U of I just has done a horrible job of fitting the pieces together.

 

[TRest]

i have a question for u guys based off this rumor. first let me say i am pro family but am not anti looking around. a local recruit i am close with among others have told me that ko/kh have told him that they will be here for the future and are recruiting him telling him that they will be the coaches at uconn. i guess ast coaches vs head coach is up for question but from what i have heard they will be around. i just find it hard that jc would leave before the ncaa/ap/pf stuff is done.

so my thing is, if we are goin goutside the family is it possible that ko/kh could stay on as the family connection under shaka? would u guys be pro or anti something like that?

also lets say that we are def going outside for a coach like shaka. considering the ncaa/apr/pf and everything going on, would it be smart now if we brought shaka in this summer or next as a ast coach "in waiting" thing and kinda gave him a year to get his feet wet here before jc leaves?

I would take Shaka and let you assistant coach, so no problem keeping ko/kh.

 

[VAHuskyFan]

i have a question for u guys based off this rumor. first let me say i am pro family but am not anti looking around. a local recruit i am close with among others have told me that ko/kh have told him that they will be here for the future and are recruiting him telling him that they will be the coaches at uconn. i guess ast coaches vs head coach is up for question but from what i have heard they will be around. i just find it hard that jc would leave before the ncaa/ap/pf stuff is done.

so my thing is, if we are goin goutside the family is it possible that ko/kh could stay on as the family connection under shaka? would u guys be pro or anti something like that?

also lets say that we are def going outside for a coach like shaka. considering the ncaa/apr/pf and everything going on, would it be smart now if we brought shaka in this summer or next as a ast coach "in waiting" thing and kinda gave him a year to get his feet wet here before jc leaves?

This is Calhoun's program as long as we're fortunate enough to have him. I think the only way a "coach in waiting" situation would make sense is if (1) Calhoun publicly stated his intention to retire at some future date certain, and (2) the coach in question is a Calhoun/UConn guy. Calhoun hasn't and Smart isn't, so I don't favor trying to bring him in as an assistant. It'd just be a recipe for disaster (ask WVU's football program) and Calhoun deserves to leave on his own terms.

If we ultimately do go outside the family and bring in Shaka (or someone else) as a new head coach a year from now or whenever, then we give him the keys and let him hire who he wants. I'd personally be happy to see Ollie and others stay on if we look outside for a new HC, but ultimately you have to trust the new HC to select the best assistants to complement his coaching style and vision.

 

[UConn5]

I just don't see JC retiring this summer. It may simply be that I cannot picture JC ever wanting to do anything other than coaching. I'm not sure how I would feel if JC did retire and the decision had to be made whether to hand the reigns over to KO or go with someone with head coaching experience like Shaka.

I think right now I'd prefer KO, assuming he wants the job...but its definitely close for me.

 

[UCHuskies08]

I know! It's not like UConn is in the middle of NCAA sanct...

Because being in the middle of sanctions means you're a dirtbag?

 

[djct1999]

I think Shaka Smart is humble enough that I feel he would always be receptive to keeping UConn guys on the staff. That could be the perfect bridge from the past to the future.

 

[NHUConnfan]

Just to repost this from the other thread, the University of Illinois as an institution, is in a world of hurt. Not specifically the athletic department...but to say the least...the entire administration for the last 7 years has done nothing to clear its failing public image. Sure, UConn has its NCAA problems that will be cleared up soon. Illinois is fighting a downturn in applications received -- the only Big 10 school that can say that!!! -- flailing academics, and an complete mistrust with their president (who just happens to be ex-UConn president Michael Hogan). The news coming out of Illinois is not very good. I seriously would not be surprised if this tweet was completely true. I would be surprised if this tweet was trying to negotiate up a price.

Illinois might not be a bad basketball school job, but the university is toxic as hell. Honestly, if I were Shaka, I'd stay light-years away from it.

 

[junglehusky]

Well we're going to have nothing but rumors to go on, until either Smart goes to Illinois, or JC suddenly changes his mind about KO / keeping it in the family. The latter is not going to happen this year. The former may or may not happen.

Pete Thamel tweeted a link to this story from the ChiTrib:

Smart, 34, has met with Illinois, according to sources, and is mulling over the decision whether to stay at VCU, a team he guided to the Final Four last season. The often-grimy recruiting scene of Chicago is one concern that leaves Smart conflicted, sources said.

In hopes of luring Smart, Illinois has guaranteed facility renovations, a long-term contract and a salary near the top of the Big Ten. His annual compensation would be comparable to that of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who makes more than $3 million per year according to USA Today salary reports.

Smart, who reportedly was on the road Tuesday recruiting in North Carolina for VCU, earned $1.285 million last season. His contract stipulates an $800,000 buyout if he leaves for another job before April 30.

The school that hires Smart must schedule a two-year home-and-home series with the Rams or pay them $250,000.

North Carolina State and Maryland tried to woo Smart away from VCU after last season's NCAA tournament.

 

[CTMike]

Shaka is a proven head coach with tons of upside. Any program will be lucky to have him. KO is more of an unknown, but also with tons of upside I feel. I'm very, very comfortable with the decision makers in all this - JC, our new AD, and Herbst. If Calhoun feels that KO is the guy to step up and keep this program at the top... that's a guy's opinion who I'd be inclined to trust. Regardless, you have to imagine there are some feelers being put out there by the Smart camp to guage potential interest.

 

[tzznandrew]

KO is a great recruiter, and he has the respect of his players.

This is about 75% of the battle when it comes to college coaching, and it's great that he has that.

The other 25% that separates the Rick Barnes from the Calhouns and Ks is some combination of in-game coaching (20%?) and luck (5%) that leads to deep runs.

 

[suzyq]

https://twitter.com/#!/SwagAir/status/182248493501526016

Dan Poneman is really plugged in, out here in chicago. He discovered Anthony Davis. I dont know how accurate this is. He has also retweeted a couple other people saying the same thing.

My son and I were just discussing when Shaka would leave VCU and where he'd land. I had not heard this however.

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

People over rate the Illinois job all the time. It is a really really good job top 20 or so. But people think it is a top 10 job its not. The Chicago connection is overrated. Chicago is an open city and send their players all over. Also its long been known that the Chicago Public League has some dirty figures in it.

Illinois has ridiculous amounts of talent, U of I just has done a horrible job of fitting the pieces together.

couldn't agree more with this. the whole "chicago recruiting base" thing is entirely overdone for exactly the reason you said above - the good kids are recruited nationally and they go to schools all over the country...there is absolutely ZERO desire to stay home..aka play two hours from the city in Champaign.

 

[The Funster]

All things considered, *if* the job were open right now, I'd opt for Smart.

 

[zls44]

Because being in the middle of sanctions means you're a dirtbag?

It doesn't mean you're a dirtbag, but it means you can't be upset or shocked when anyone calls you that.

 

[Palatine]

couldn't agree more with this. the whole "chicago recruiting base" thing is entirely overdone for exactly the reason you said above - the good kids are recruited nationally and they go to schools all over the country...there is absolutely ZERO desire to stay home..aka play two hours from the city in Champaign.

When I lived in Chicago (a while back) going downstate, meant a lot to city kids. The phrase originally meant playing for a state championship which is held in Champaign. But it also means playing for the Illini. Back then, Bobby Knight owned Chicago but the Illini got their share of city kids. I'm sure they still do.

 

[nomar]

That forum is ticking me off, they keep calling Calhoun a dirtbag... Where do they get off?

I read 3 pages from the thread and there was literally one guy who said that. The rest (including an IU fan) were very complimentary.

 

[Hoophound]

I read 3 pages from the thread and there was literally one guy who said that. The rest (including an IU fan) were very complimentary.

Agreed. Most of them think the Illinois job is better because you aren't following a legend, the Big East is shaky and the NCAA issues exist. Fair enough.

In our defense, the NCAA issues are far more minor than average fans realize thanks to the initial hubbub from yahoo sports. I still think we'll be tourney eligible next year and although JC is a legend to follow, Shaka will succeed anywhere. He's a sure thing.

 

[nomar]

Agreed. Most of them think the Illinois job is better because you aren't following a legend, the Big East is shaky and the NCAA issues exist. Fair enough.

In our defense, the NCAA issues are for more minor than average fans realize thanks to the initial hubbub from yahoo sports, I still think we'll be tourney eligible next year and although JC is a legend to follow, Shaka will succeed anywhere. He's a sure thing

I largely agree with all of that. I think we have a better-than-50% shot of being eligible. I'm not sure anyone's a sure thing. Stan Heath? There are other Flavors of the Month that didn't pan out. I really like Smart, I think he would make a great hire for anyone, but there's always some luck involved.

 

[UofCT]

I read 3 pages from the thread and there was literally one guy who said that. The rest (including an IU fan) were very complimentary.

Yeah but still... Nobody corrected him.

 

[johnhuskies95]

Stan Heath is not even close to Shaka Smart.

 

[caw]

IF Calhoun were to retire and Smart wants to coach at UConn, I wouldn't be against it. I am also OK with Ollie

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

When I lived in Chicago (a while back) going downstate, meant a lot to city kids. The phrase originally meant playing for a state championship which is held in Champaign. But it also means playing for the Illini. Back then, Bobby Knight owned Chicago but the Illini got their share of city kids. I'm sure they still do.

Look at the big chicago area recruits over the last few years - Anthony Davis, Derrick Rose, Sherron Collins, Jon Scheyer to name a few. Even throw Boatright in there ... those kids barely even consider staying in state. Eric Gordon decommitted and went to IU. U of I gets the 2nd tier kids, if that.

Oh and shame on me for forgetting the real Chicago blue chipper who went out of state - Darius Smith.

 

[Prezidint]

I'm very, very comfortable with the decision makers in all this - JC, our new AD, and Herbst. If Calhoun feels that KO is the guy to step up and keep this program at the top... that's a guy's opinion who I'd be inclined to trust.

Not me. People don't necessarily choose successors for the right reason.
Calhoun is a great coach.
He's not an AD. He's not a coach screener. He's not a business manager.
Who knows why Calhoun likes Ollie?
It would be silly to think that Calhoun thinks that Ollie would make the best coach for UConn, really, given that he hasn't coached a game yet.
So Calhoun is either basing his opinion on potential or on something else, and I'd guess it's a combination of the two.

In the end, there's a reason that there is virtually no job in life that allows you to pick your successor - not CEOs, not Presidents, not NFL quarterbacks, not NBA coaches, not general managers, and so on. The reason is that it's humanly impossible to be unbiased in the selection.

Dead hand control should be eschewed.

I think the only input Calhoun should have in the process is his input to the AD regarding Ollie. I think it's a disservice to the school and the team to publicly hold out a candidate as his chosen one. Give the input, let the system work.

Let me put it this way - somebody should get JC to answer the question - who would be better for UConn - Smart or Ollie? If he can't answer that in 2 seconds or less, you have your answer.

For the Ollie supporters, does it not concern you that the guy is completely untested? He could be a great coach, but he could suck too. He could drag the program down for 5 years and then get turfed, but by then the luster of the UConn brand has been marred.

Get a proven commodity. No time to experiment. VERY delicate transition ahead.