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. 

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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. 

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.

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??

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.

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.