Jack Bauer
New member
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!
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Alvin Brooks leaving Bradley staff
- Thread starter Da Coach
- Start date
Big Mike
Active member
Jack Bauer
New member
Can we just be happy that it is improving by the day and leave it at that?
Hey - I'm ecstatic with the new addition (Platt), and the potential of adding Webster. But I think the question needs to be asked to make sure we don't fall into the situation again of having a staff not qualified to coach at the high school level. When we go out and win 25 games next year with this new staff, it is really going to make one wonder why it took so long! Hopefully we're welcoming Webster to the Hilltop soon...
And if we don't, it will be all JL's fault. However, if we do......it will be entirely because of the new staff. :roll:
Can we just be happy that it is improving by the day and leave it at that?
My sentiments exactly!
I agree with the point of your statement. If we have the great season I think we will, I hope the new staff gets their deserved credit, but I also hope JL gets his credit too because he built this team.
In team sports, it is a total effort from all coaches, all players, and all fans/others involved, so all involved deserve some credit. But if the head coach is going to take all the bashing and is ultimately in charge of the whole operation, he also deserves a good portion of the credit too. I think JL and his new staff together will have a great year!
Just a though....I know this isn't going to happen, but what about Vinny Del Negro to fill the assistant position? In all likelihood, although unfair and I don't like it, he is going to get fired. He has one year and I believe 2 million on his deal left.
He has head coaching experience, he is a classy guy, he has to have Chicago connections from being the Bulls head coach for 2 years. He also seems to be very good at developing young players in guys like Rose, Noah, Gibson. Plus he is a known hard worker who doesn't allow distractions, motivates young guys, and would bring instant recognition and a big name to the program.
Now he probably wouldn't even consider doing it, and it won't happen, but just a fun idea to toss out...
He has head coaching experience, he is a classy guy, he has to have Chicago connections from being the Bulls head coach for 2 years. He also seems to be very good at developing young players in guys like Rose, Noah, Gibson. Plus he is a known hard worker who doesn't allow distractions, motivates young guys, and would bring instant recognition and a big name to the program.
Now he probably wouldn't even consider doing it, and it won't happen, but just a fun idea to toss out...
Jack Bauer
New member
Well if you stink one year with a group of players, and bring in new coaches for those players and win, who should be credited? If management isn't meeting sales goals, and the board decides to replace management and they exceed sales goals, who gets credit? If we're good next year, are you going to give zero credit to our new coaches?
All we've done now is eliminate the 'staff' excuse. It was never said publicly, but the turnover speaks for itself. We've actually put ourselves at or above the rest of the MVC now...and that's a GOOD thing! So now we're eliminating reasons to lose. If we lose next year it won't be because of a weak staff. It seems according to your logic, a head coach can never be held accountable. I wonder why that is...or maybe it's only certain people...
Jack Bauer
New member
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! :roll:
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.
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
New member
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.
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?
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.
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
New member
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.
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.
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
New member
we will never know what if for brian carlwell
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
New member
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.
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.
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.