I guess you're entitled to your opinion 8811, but there are very few coaches any more who would be unwilling to take advantage of their success and move on to better-paid pastures. That's life in the "mid-majors." Stevens and Smart turned down the Illinois job, but they're in larger markets with better-paid positions. Stevens is making $750,000 or so coaching near his hometown; Smart is making $1.2 million. Groce will make four times at Illinois what he can make at Ohio; I think few of us would turn down such an opportunity. It's pretty narrow-minded to chastise someone for doing what's best for their family and their career, and for doing what 99% of us would do if we were in the same situation. Remember, as much as we like to glorify coaching, it's still a job. You take opportunities when you get them. Even before Groce left, others here raised the possibility that next year could be less successful -- a tougher schedule; bullseye on the team's backs; injuries. You might not like it that Groce struck while the iron was hot; none of us do. But it's unfair to criticize Groce for doing what he did. Frankly, I hope he succeeds. He's done well for Ohio, but if he looks like a flash-in-the-pan at the next level, there are some who might think his success here was a fluke, which would belittle this year's accomplishments. And by the same token I hope Ohio has a better season next year than this just to show we can do it without him.
See, here's what proves my point against the whole "you always go for the bigger money and if you don't think so you know nothing about the business world" crew. Illinois was offering Smart
$2.6 million a year -- that's more than DOUBLE his salary as you quoted! And yet did he go? No. Stevens got offered $21 mil for 8 years, and said no. Again, that's a MASSIVE pay raise he turned down. Still want to lecture me, all you real-world business know-it-alls? Still want to lecture me it's all about the money, and nobody ever turns it down?
The fact is, not one but TWO coaches turned down Illinois, despite the fact they were offered WAY bigger money than what Groce is getting.
http://cdn05.duonox.com/forum/butlers-stevens-turns-down-illinois-offer
Meanwhile, here's how badly Illinois wanted Groce:
Groce would be the sixth candidate on Thomas' list, following Smart, Alabama's Anthony Grant,
Florida State's Leonard Hamilton, Washington's Lorenzo Romar and Stevens.
SIXTH choice? Now, you still want to buy what Groce was selling on his way out? 'Cause if you do, I've got a whole lot of swampland down in Florida I can sell ya. Not to mention a nice big bridge connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan.
Sorry guys, the whole "dream job" story stinks to high heaven. Just like the whole smug attitude here that people ALWAYS take the money and run, and if you disagree, you're some dumb naive rube.
Last Edited: 4/1/2012 9:54:04 PM by Bobcat8811