Illinois going after Shaka Smart

[CyCrazy]

It would be a homerun hire, especially if Shaka can get Robert Smith to come as an assistant as well. They would have Chicago on lock down for a very long time.

Ya it would, today was the first time I have heard about Robert Smith. MAKE IT HAPPEN ILLINOIS!!!!

[Hawkeye11en1]

Illinois sucks

[gocubs2118]

Ya it would, today was the first time I have heard about Robert Smith. MAKE IT HAPPEN ILLINOIS!!!!

I think it would make us the favorites for Parker, which would be great.

[Mumbai1986]

I never said fluke.

Flash in the pan. He is a third year coach. Never won his conference yet.

Yes a final 4 last year... Several coaches coaches can claim that and never did much else.

He hasn't proved 2.5 mil worth yet.

Um, he won his conference tournament and finished second in the CAA. He also did not get to play Drexel twice this season, only once and that was at Drexel. Let's just say the Billy Donovan coaching tree is not that bad. Anthony Grant and now Shaka Smart. I hope he does not take it and makes VCU the Gonzaga of the East.

[CyJack13]

Um, he won his conference tournament and finished second in the CAA. He also did not get to play Drexel twice this season, only once and that was at Drexel. Let's just say the Billy Donovan coaching tree is not that bad. Anthony Grant and now Shaka Smart. I hope he does not take it and makes VCU the Gonzaga of the East.

No mention of John Pelphrey just because he failed at Arkansas? That's harsh.

[rebecacy]

Is VCU in a position to counter a 2.5 M offer?

[ribsnwhiskey]

Illinois sucks

Thanks for your input Ellen.

[Mumbai1986]

No mention of John Pelphrey just because he failed at Arkansas? That's harsh.

Forgot about Pelphrey. Well, he had success at South Alabama and he was slowly turning around Arkansas. He is back as an assistant though with Donovan, so maybe he can find success again .

[Mumbai1986]

Is VCU in a position to counter a 2.5 M offer?

Doubt it

[Three4Cy]

There will be better jobs in the next few years, he would be smarter to stay put and wait for something bigger.

[alarson]

Is VCU in a position to counter a 2.5 M offer?

Dollar for dollar i'd guess not, but it all depends how much he likes where he is now and maybe they can get him somewhere he'd find it 'acceptable' to stay. Its not like he's getting paid a small-time salary now anyways, he could stay at VCU and still be very wealthy. Even if the wheels fell completely off his program and they fired him next year, he'd still have a several million dollar check coming.

[ribsnwhiskey]

There will be better jobs in the next few years, he would be smarter to stay put and wait for something bigger.

Name one.

[cycloneworld]

There will be better jobs in the next few years, he would be smarter to stay put and wait for something bigger.

It's common knowledge in the college basketball world that Illinois is a Top 10 job.

I'd be really surprised if Shaka turned it down.

[CyCrazy]

I think it would make us the favorites for Parker, which would be great.

He would be a huge get.

[CyCrazy]

It's common knowledge in the college basketball world that Illinois is a Top 10 job.

I'd be really surprised if Shaka turned it down.

This, Ya UI has been ok since 05 but if the right guy lands in that spot look out.