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Topic: Nebraska eying Groce?

Topic: Nebraska eying Groce?

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L.C.
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Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 6:05:13 PM

Lincoln Journal-Star article on him.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

OU didn't know
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 7:06:05 PM

As a "mid-major" this is always the reality of the situation. I'm not naive enough to believe that Groce will be at Ohio beyond next year, but Nebraska isn't the type of job you leave for, especially not for a coach as young as Groce and one who is known to be an excellent recruiter. Of course there's a few jobs he'd likely jump at if they were offered, one of those being Illinois, but otherwise I would have to think he wants to make another run with this team next season. After that, he'll likely have plenty of big schools coming after him.

Who knows, maybe the guy just flat out loves it in Athens and plans on building a national program at Ohio. You never really know what someone's true motivations are until it's time to make a decision.

OU_Country
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 7:15:18 PM

OU didn't know wrote:

I agree with your sentiments - Nebraska isn't a destination for a coach with big aspirations, even if it's in the Big Ten +2. I couldn't see him leaving OU until next year is over and his first class have graduated. That said, I'd like to hope there's a way we can give him a nice contract extension to at least limit the places he'd consider to big time programs. It seems that is what has happened at Gonzaga with Mark Few, so who knows what could happen? If we could sell a few more tickets, advance in the tournament, maybe the funds could be there.

The article kind of agrees:

"Why wouldn't Groce make sense?

His interest level might not be as high as you'd think, even though he'd receive a significant pay increase from his current base salary of $250,000.

Groce isn't commenting on job openings, but one source says Groce is very particular about his career path, and with his entire roster returning, feels he could increase his stock for job openings next season."

Pataskala
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 7:41:49 PM

This from Andy Katz's 3-point shot blog from yesterday:

2. The Nebraska pool to replace the fired Doc Sadler will get interesting with Ohio’s John Groce, a former Ohio State assistant in the Big Ten, now a major player, according to sources. San Francisco’s Rex Walters would also be an intriguing choice after playing in the region at Kansas and being born in Nebraska.

I think someone who is from there or has ties there would more interested in the job.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

L.C.
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 8:13:56 PM

OU didn't know wrote:

... but Nebraska isn't the type of job you leave for, especially not for a coach as young as Groce and one who is known to be an excellent recruiter. ...

Nebraska has consistently been a dead end job for successful mid-major BBall coaches, who typically last 6 years, can't succeed, and then get fired, and have lost momentum in their career.
Moe Iba - 6 years and out, .599 percentage, moved on to TCU
Danny Nee - 14 years and out, .572 percentage, to Robert Morris, then Duquense, then Rutgers assistant
Barry Collier - 6 years and out, .494 percentage, AD at Butler
Doc Sadler - 6 years and out, .532 percentage

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

OUVan
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 8:18:32 PM

I could see him leave for a better job but with the entire team returning next year I can't imagine he would leave for a job like Nebraska.

ohio9704
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 8:31:48 PM

Nebraska job, no. If Shaka Smart turns down Illinois job, then I see him taking it. That is a good job and pays very well. I don't believe the "playing Thad Matta crap" two times a year would be a real big deal with that job.

brucecuth
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 8:38:55 PM

It could be an interesting job. I thought I read somewhere that the Huskers will be opening a new hoops facility next year. Does this mean that NEB and Tom Osborne will make a serious commitment to the basketball program?

Groce proved he could recruit both in Columbus and Athens, but Lincoln is a different animal. Take Northwestern and its academic requirements out of it, and I think Lincoln and Happy Valley are the two toughest places in the conference to recruit. Nebraska in particular is not a hoops hotbed.

Matta gave Groce a good thought to ponder when he was offered the Ohio job..."why WOULDN'T you take it?" There was no reason not to. Now, with his entire team returning off an outstanding season, you could reasonably assume there are several reasons not to take the Nebraska job. Whether those would outweigh the positives (and there are indeed some) is another question that Groce may have to ponder.

Now should Illinois come calling....well, I trust Schaus has Jeff Boals' number on speed dial. And I'm sure other top flight young coaches would beg for this job. If he should depart, Groce deserves thanks for leaving the program in such great shape.

Last Edited: 3/13/2012 8:42:55 PM by brucecuth

cc-cat
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 8:47:27 PM

ohio9704 wrote:

Nebraska job, no. If Shaka Smart turns down Illinois job, then I see him taking it. That is a good job and pays very well. I don't believe the "playing Thad Matta crap" two times a year would be a real big deal with that job.

agree. Anyone who believes this is saying Groce is eliminating the Big Ten from consideration. Foolish.

Ozcat
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 9:12:25 PM

I give less than 5% chance that Groce leaves for Nebraska. If Illinois comes calling, I'd say 95%.

I'm sure someone on this board as a better idea of what the athletic department has to work with, but I would love to see Groce receive some sort of performance bonus for this season, and at a minimum, bump his salary up to $330,000 (which is what it appears Solich is making).

In an ideal world, we could raise his base salary up to $750,000 to compete with the other top mid-majors.

Turney13
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 9:20:33 PM

Larry Hunter turned down Kansas State

Turney Duff
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ohio9704
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 10:05:55 PM

Turney13 wrote:

Larry Hunter turned down Kansas State

A little different background for Hunter and Groce.

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/13/2012 10:09:03 PM

"I'm flattered by the interest, but...you have a basketball team at Nebraska? They have uniforms and everything, huh?"

Last Edited: 3/13/2012 10:10:39 PM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)

Husker Mike
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 12:09:20 AM

Aww, c'mon. Don't you guys owe us for Frank Solich?

Seriously, I think Tom Osborne is going to make Nebraska a more attractive job. The facilities are brand-spanking new. The Hendricks Practice Facility opened to raves from across the Big Ten. The new Pinnacle Bank Arena will have all the bells and whistles as well. There will be money for assistant coaches.

And there is interest for basketball in Nebraska. Note that Creighton of the Missouri Valley Conference is fifth nationally in attendance... averaging about 16k a night. A lot of those same people wear Husker red in the fall, I might add.

athena
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 8:56:51 AM

Nothing against our HuskerCats, but go away, Nebraska.

Last Edited: 3/14/2012 8:58:05 AM by athena

Piney
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:05:56 AM

Ozcat wrote:

I give less than 5% chance that Groce leaves for Nebraska. If Illinois comes calling, I'd say 95%.

I tend to agree here. Groce will be leaving soon as he does have aspirations to be a big time coach. Illinois is a program that he can't say no too. But Nebraska??? Especially with the whole team coming back next season? If Nebraska is the best job he can get this year, he ain't leaving. He comes back one more season and he should know that better jobs will come calling.

Unless of course he makes a sweet sixteen run this year and some bigger programs start sniffing around.

If so... Boals... your job is open.

"If someone told me 20 years ago in my James Hall Dorm room that I would be the commencement speaker I would have told them to get out of here and make sure you put that towell back under the door"

- Matt Lauer '97 Commencement Speech

bigtillyoopsupsideurhead
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:16:03 AM

Nebraska could turn into a good job though. Have you seen their new training facility? Someone on ESPN, I forget who, maybe Gottleib or Bilas said they have the nicest training facility on the country.

Check out the photos: http://www.huskers.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?SPSID=20&SPID=24&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=100&PALBID=419714

Ozcat
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:17:40 AM

This situation is interesting. It sounds pretty unanimous that if Groce were offered Illinois that we all think he should take it. But let's not even act like Illinois is a destination job. I think it is a really good job, but Self left the Illini to head to Kansas.

Given Groce's past, I think he will wait it out in Athens until the perfect job opens. I have a feeling it's not just about $$ with him. That will come with winning, but he wants a place that has tradition, history, and a commitment to winning. I just don't see that at all in Nebraska, where you'd always be second fiddle to football.

Ohio69
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:20:41 AM

Nebraksa is a no brainer for a mid-major coach. Get a 5-6 year guarantee and $1 million+ per year and run with it. Set yourself up for life, and maybe your kids too.

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

Bball Jones
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:20:56 AM

WOW!!

sargentfan
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:37:43 AM

I forget where I read it but some article talked about how Groce would be very selective this year on any job openings because since OUr team is returning all its starters next year he believes next year could be even better than this year and thus expand his demand and the quality of programs looking at him. So I would give it a 25% chance he leaves this year and a 90% chance he leaves after next year.

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:39:55 AM

I think Groce will have ample opportunities after this year and next, so he probably can be somewhat choosy this offseason.

mf279801
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 10:39:59 AM

And he said on the radio interview (on 700wlw) that he and his wife are life long reds fans!

(I'm aware that that won't factor heavily into a career decision, but I'm trying to stay positive about his sticking around through next season)

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 12:02:09 PM

Ohio69 wrote:

Nebraksa is a no brainer for a mid-major coach. Get a 5-6 year guarantee and $1 million+ per year and run with it. Set yourself up for life, and maybe your kids too.

This is not the way to become one of the great coaches in the country. This is a way to get $5m and then be back at a mid-major.

Gary Waters knows this all too well.

You only get one shot at being a darling coaching option, where you're looked upon as the next big thing. Shaka has realized that. I think Groce gets that. When you get that one shot at mapping out a path to greatness, do it wisely.

Matta will steer Groce towards a spot he can succeed. Illinois is a great job, and as Self showed it can be a leap pad to a dream job. Nebraska is not that place.

Last Edited: 3/14/2012 12:10:27 PM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)

Piney
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RE: Nebraska eying Groce?

Posted: 3/14/2012 12:06:19 PM

Ozcat wrote:

While Illinois might not be a destination job, it is pretty close. Probably the tier below the true destination jobs of Kansas, UNC, Duke, Kentucky type jobs. Which is why Groce would go. But it seems like Illinois has bigger fish they are after, and only a really far run in the NCAA tourney would put Groce up near the top of their list.

Like others have said, Nebraska seems like they are going to try to put money into their basketball program. I can see it being a good job for someone who can build their program. BUT you have to build it. That will take time and patience. I just don't see Groce willing to take that chance because there is risk with building Nebraska as they are in the Big Ten with quite a few great teams and no true natural recruiting area to draw from.

"If someone told me 20 years ago in my James Hall Dorm room that I would be the commencement speaker I would have told them to get out of here and make sure you put that towell back under the door"

- Matt Lauer '97 Commencement Speech

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