Alvin Brooks leaving Bradley staff

[BUfan14]

Yes...several million dollars a year for the Bulls to likely a five-figure, or low six-figure salary for a school he has nothing to do with. Or he could be an assistant or in the front office for an NBA team for probably close to what our top assistant or even head coach makes. Yes, I am sure Vinny will be interested!

I was just throwing it out there, I even stated it wasn't a serious claim. I know he won't do it, but I'm just making interesting conversation. Sorry I guess...

[Jack Bauer]

I don't think anyone said he shouldn't be held accountable. But like I said, the new staff will get their credit, but does that mean JL won't get his? That is not fair.

Also you say some won't give JL blame if we lose, but you just said you won't give these new assistants blame if we lose? "If we lose next year it won't be because of a weak staff." 2 way street isn't it? Everyone involved will take their share of responsibility good or bad, but the most always goes to the head coach. That means credit for good things too. If we do bad, although I think there is no way this happens, it will everyone's responsibility, that means JL and the whole staff.

Why wouldn't Jim get credit? Head coaches get too much blame when they lose, and too much credit when they win. JL got plenty of credit when they won in '06 and '07. It's unfortunate the dots connect to the departure of his top assistant and the spiral to muddling MVC finishes and 17 win regular seasons. If BU wins this year, JL will get plenty of credit for everything, from assembling the talent to putting the staff together. Relax. I don't understand why people feel the need to protect this guy so much. Jim Les doesn't ask for or need your protection.

[BSSFan#1]

If we bring Webster on board, we go from having one of the worst top-to-bottom staffs to arguably the best. I just don't understand why it took so long to give ourselves the best opportunity to win!

I've met Webster and he's one heckuva nice guy. I'm a little concerned over results though. What did Webster get done at Illinois?

[Da Coach]

We've seen posts here where some say Jim just had a "lucky 6-week stretch in 2006" that just happened to take the team to the Sweet 16.
Others have asserted it was Chuck Buescher who deserved all the credit.
So it depends who is doing the opining- but not everyone is willing to give Jim Les credit when he wins.

[Jack Bauer]

We've seen posts here where some say Jim just had a "lucky 6-week stretch in 2006" that just happened to take the team to the Sweet 16.
Others have asserted it was Chuck Buescher who deserved all the credit.
So it depends who is doing the opining- but not everyone is willing to give Jim Les credit when he wins.

You are correct, and those who won't give credit are wrong. It's JL's program, and when we stink it's his responsibility. When we're great, it's his responsibility too. When we win 25 games this year and hoist a crown, it will be to his credit.

It's kind of interesting that Ron Zook, Lovie Smith, and Jim Les are all kind of in the same situation. All have escalated pressure to win this year, and all have more or less had to upgrade their supporting staffs. Expectations should be rightfully raised for all 3 teams.

[BSSFan#1]

Players successfully recruited by Illinois when Tracy Webster was an assistant:

Chester Frazier
CJ Jackson
Brian Carlwell
Richard Semrau
Demetri McCamey
Mike Tisdale
Bill Cole
Rodney Alexander

Illinois national title game appearance was Webster's 1st year as an assistant. He didn't recruit any of the players on that squad. I'm sure he had some input during games, practices, etc. but his focus was recruiting.

[Future Walk-On]

Players successfully recruited by Illinois when Tracy Webster was an assistant:

Chester Frazier
CJ Jackson
Brian Carlwell
Richard Semrau
Demetri McCamey
Mike Tisdale
Bill Cole
Rodney Alexander

Illinois national title game appearance was Webster's 1st year as an assistant. He didn't recruit any of the players on that squad. I'm sure he had some input during games, practices, etc. but his focus was recruiting.

we will never know what if for brian carlwell

[BUfan14]

You are correct, and those who won't give credit are wrong. It's JL's program, and when we stink it's his responsibility. When we're great, it's his responsibility too. When we win 25 games this year and hoist a crown, it will be to his credit.

We can certainly agree there Jack.

Not that I'm against Webster, I think he could be very good. But that list of recruits for a school that is suppose to be a top team every year like Illinois is not very impressive to me. Frazier, Cole, and Tisdale are nice players, but McCamey is the only real Illini caliber star I see there. Carlwell we will never know, but he still didn't turn out good for Illinois because he wasn't there.

[Jack Bauer]

Players successfully recruited by Illinois when Tracy Webster was an assistant:

Chester Frazier
CJ Jackson
Brian Carlwell
Richard Semrau
Demetri McCamey
Mike Tisdale
Bill Cole
Rodney Alexander

Illinois national title game appearance was Webster's 1st year as an assistant. He didn't recruit any of the players on that squad. I'm sure he had some input during games, practices, etc. but his focus was recruiting.

Well, compared to Alvin Brooks at BU I think that resume is pretty good. We haven't had an established recruiter with his connections in a long, long time. I'll take my chances with Tracy Webster as our 2nd assistant/top recruiter.

[BSSFan#1]

That list of recruits is extremely unimpressive, especially for the state's flagship institution.

Great guy. I'm sure a quality character individual also. But there were poor results produced at an institution with a much, much bigger budget.

Not a single Illini fan I know was upset when Webster left for Kentucky. In fact they were ecstatic.

[shaunguth]

If we're good next year, are you going to give zero credit to our new coaches?

Put it this way......I'm MUCH more likely to give credit to the entire staff than many people will be willing to give credit to JL.

[mrcoachdude]

Put it this way......I'm MUCH more likely to give credit to the entire staff than many people will be willing to give credit to JL.

Ditto! If we are better next year JL will not get the credit by some folks...in fact with the new NCAA expansion if we make a post season tourney..i can see it now....

"yeh we only made it because they expanded...not because JL did any better "

[dogsrus]

Ditto! If we are better next year JL will not get the credit by some folks...in fact with the new NCAA expansion if we make a post season tourney..i can see it now....

"yeh we only made it because they expanded...not because JL did any better "

Respectfully........so what...... Alls that matters is how YOU feel.

[real fan]

Well, compared to Alvin Brooks at BU I think that resume is pretty good. We haven't had an established recruiter with his connections in a long, long time. I'll take my chances with Tracy Webster as our 2nd assistant/top recruiter.

I agree, Webster has a lot better credentials and connections in the mid-west.

[BSSFan#1]

I agree, Webster has a lot better credentials and connections in the mid-west.

Why compare Webster to Brooks? We should strive for something special. Webster at Illinois produced poor recruiting classes. What credentials and connections? Based on the Illini recruits the credentials and connections don't mean much.