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Topic: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Topic: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

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Chicken George
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Member Since: 1/2/2005
Post Count: 765

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If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/25/2012 10:42:54 PM

I could just hear my dad telling John,

"Son, that's a ton of money to pass up. But just read this message board http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=17757&page=351. You do what you think is best, but I'd rather have $450,000 a year in Athens or whatever you can get them to pay you vs $2 Million+ and live this kind of life. I'd rather be a "big fish in a small pond," than a "small fish in a big pond." John, making that kind of money in Athens, you will never have money problems. Money's not going to be your problem. John, even if you had more money you won't have the time or energy to enjoy any of it. Were talking quality of life. In Athens you can essentially make your own bed. At Illinois, they're going to be making your bed. And while you may not see this now, in a few years you'll better understand the importance of being your own man and having more control of your life vs living under those types of conditions. And these people who are all nice and friendly to you now, just wait until they turn on you like they turn on everyone else. It's only a matter of time until they will and when they do, you'd give every penny back to have the peace you have right now.

And look at how hard you're working now and the stress you have. Look at how hard it is on your family. Now imagine going into that kind of situation and what you'll have to do. Once again, you don't see it now, but you're going to burn out.

In the Big 10, you'll be fighting like the rest of them to be the NEXT Izzo, Henson, Matta, etc.. In Athens, you got a chance to be the FIRST Groce.

------------------
I'm 99% this is what my father would tell him because about a decade I got this same talk. Granted Athens isn't John's hometown and while I could've doubled/tripled my salary it wasn't going to be $20 million guaranteed--still I think I would've received this advice no matter what the dollar figure. I listened and personally am glad I did. I think I'm more happy than the rest of my friends who left the small town chasing the big town in search of the big company/big dollars.

bornacatfan
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Member Since: 8/3/2006
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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/25/2012 11:32:50 PM

356 pages on one thread.....eeeeeshhhh and JG hates message boards.

THose guys are all over the board. No one really seems to think JG is their caliber of coach

Would you have fired Bruce Weber knowing that Groce would replace him? I'm not sure if I would..

To have blind faith in our A.D. at this point doesn't make much sense. I think he is in over his head. Hiring 3 new coaches this quickly has to be a daunting task for anyone, let alone a brand new A.D.

Look, no matter who we hire, I hope they win and they win big. But, this search process belongs in the circus. It's a joke. If we can't find a big name to come here for $2.5 million, we might as well just throw in the towel. The fact that people want to support a decision to hire a no name coach on the cheap, is sickening.

I want this program to have success so badly. I don't feel good about the direction our football teams or basketball teams are going. It's really frustrating.

Kind of reminds me of the fire Buzz thing on the Wake board.....if no one really wants you there you are gonna be the first one out the door if you don t get to work and fill all their hearts with happiness.

GOod find George , Nice subject.

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game

left lane, hammer down
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Member Since: 3/25/2012
Location: Albany International Airport Tower
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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 12:33:11 AM

Very well said.
Stay, make good $$ or go and chase the BIG $$$.
Stay, all the pressure to produce is yours or go and the pressure is from your boss.
Stay, fans and edu will be happy with winning seasons or go and be REQIURED to get to the final four - if not in the words of Donald Trump " your fired".
Stay, to coach in the best arena in the mid-west -full of fans or go and be expected to build the fan base.

Bottom line. All that $$$$ comes with lots of pressure to produce.
So "quality of life" or " $$$$$$$$$$ " ???????

And 'yes' my dad gave me the same talk, 30 years ago, and I'm so glad he did. I was working a trade at the time and could have followed construction around the country/world and made big $$. But I know I'm better off that I stayed in Athens to raise a family and make enough $$ to be happy.

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 12:42:31 AM

If John Groce flamed out at Illinois, he has a six-figure salary as Thad's right-hand man as a back-up plan. There's little downside to him taking the money.

left lane, hammer down
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Member Since: 3/25/2012
Location: Albany International Airport Tower
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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 12:49:16 AM

Brian Smith wrote:

If John Groce flamed out at Illinois, he has a six-figure salary as Thad's right-hand man as a back-up plan. There's little downside to him taking the money.

Me thinks he 'burns' that bridge if he goes to Illinois.
If he stays, 4 to 6 years from now when Thad retires due to his back problems he goes the OSU as head coach??

Last Edited: 3/26/2012 12:50:08 AM by left lane, hammer down

Pataskala
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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 7:32:35 AM

He needs to do what's best for his family, and if he thinks going to Illinois is the best thing, so be it. But money shouldn't be the only consideration.

In Athens, he's practically a saint. In Champaign, he'll have to prove himself all over again.

In Champaign, he would be the fifth or sixth choice of the present administration, with a considerable faction there still pushing for a minority hire (at least according to the Chi Trib article I saw).

Champaign still has a very unsettled situation with the administrative shakeup. Not the best of situations to walk into given all the other circumstances.

I don't see him jumping at their offer, if they make one. He and his family have a really good situation at Ohio and it would be tough to go into Illinois with all the associated problems.

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

Andrew Ruck
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Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 5,225

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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 8:28:51 AM

An important factor to consider is competitive and talented individuals such as Coach Groce are extremely confident in their abilities, to the point that the worst case scenario barely even enters their mind. That confidence also turns ugly situations (poor fan support, administration chaos, etc) into challenges he looks forward to conquering.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

Chicken George
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Member Since: 1/2/2005
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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 9:01:16 AM

All I know is what I read in media reports, but my guess is it's 35/65. 35% he goes to Ill, 65% he stays at OHIO. My guess is that he's comfortable and will be very calculated with his next move realizing it's a big one. He'll wait for exactly the right situation. Only problem with that for JG is that he's probably as hot right now as he's ever going to be at OHIO. I hope we meet all expectations next year, but you just can't count on Sweet 16's to come around all the time.

TheGreenFever
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Member Since: 1/18/2011
Post Count: 188

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RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 9:10:15 AM

If my Dad was his Dad, he'd tell him the same thing he told me when i was about to leave my company for more money. My dad looked me square in the eyes and said, "Money isn't everything. It may fix a few problems, but it can't buy happiness and love. Plus, just because that company (other conference) is bigger, doesn't mean they will be on top all the time either." And this comes from a guy who had one of the richest men in town, Howard LeFevre (for you Newark area folks), come and ask him to start a business from the ground up for him. So, he knows what he is talking about.

Bottom line is Stay Groce, you have a good thing here.

Mr. Mo Jo Risin
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Member Since: 6/23/2006
Post Count: 81

Status: Offline

RE: If My Dad Was John Groce Dad....

Posted: 3/26/2012 9:24:09 AM

left lane, hammer down wrote:

Brian Smith wrote:

If John Groce flamed out at Illinois, he has a six-figure salary as Thad's right-hand man as a back-up plan. There's little downside to him taking the money.

Me thinks he 'burns' that bridge if he goes to Illinois.
If he stays, 4 to 6 years from now when Thad retires due to his back problems he goes the OSU as head coach??

Didn't notice this until now and asked a similar question in another thread.

After reading a recent article about Matta from Yahoo Sports, the medical condition sounds excruciating and makes me wonder if Matta may only last 3 or fewer years. Could he even hang it up after this season if he wins it all? That would be worst case scenario but is more improbable than probable.

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