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Illinois fighting to keep Coach Antigua

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Pickle_Rick

All-American
Oct 8, 2017
4,358
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Blueworld_3.0 said:
That's a very surprising offer. A lot more than I expected Illinois to be able or willing to shell out. We'll see if UK/Barnhart are willing to step up.
Click to expand...
We already know Barney has no conception of negotiation. Coach: i want 1 million dollars.
Barney:What about 1.5 mill? Would you take that?
Coach:What? Yeah... i guess...
Barney:I'm not pussyfooting around here. 2 million.
Coach:What are you doing?
Barney:Look, 3 million! Its all we can afford.
 
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F

Fighter of the Nightman

All-Conference
Jul 8, 2019
2,477
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A little Illini perspective. First of all, I'm terribly sorry about the tragedy in your program. Obviously, that is much more important right now, and my prayers go out to the young man's family. Truly awful.

On topic, if I am a betting man I say Antigua winds up at Kentucky. However, this is about Illinois showing that it is willing to spend like a big boy program, and it likely at least keeps Coleman around. Illinois has a massive alumni/fan base with plenty of deep pocket donors, and we finally (only as of 3-4 years ago) have an AD who is savvy enough to treat Illini Athletics as such and be competent enough to come up with tons of money when the situation calls for it. Our previous two ADs were cheap and small-time thinkers, so this has been a breath of fresh air. Even if OA leaves for Kentucky (as I expect him to, when it is all said and done), I think this sends an important message to both our fans and potential replacements that Illinois is intent on trying to become a national power and channeling the resources necessary to do so.

As for Kentucky being a clearly better destination, well yeah ... it's the crown jewel destination in college hoops. Saying it's a "better job than X" is redundant. However, people don't always leave for "better jobs." There is a tier of programs just below the Blue Bloods (think Syracuse, Arizona, Michigan State, etc.) that would never let their coaches be poached by a Blue Blood without a fight, and Illinois is trying to re-enter that category, and I would say we are off to a good start over the last few years (epic Loyola choke notwithstanding ... lol). Losing a coach to Kentucky is nothing to be ashamed of, and it's something that most programs cannot control/stop. However, losing a coach to a Blue Blood and just being okay with it/not putting up a financial fight is not something an AD serious about winning would let happen, and I am glad that we are getting out the checkbook, at least. At this point, we have done all we can and if we lose a coach to a historically superior program, you move on.

Whoever winds up with Antigua is pretty lucky, if you ask me, and he is worth every penny. He gets plenty of hype for his recruiting prowess, but I think his ability to develop guys is also criminally underrated.
 
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jrpross_rivals

jrpross_rivals

Heisman
Feb 21, 2008
17,570
36,134
113
Fighter of the Nightman said:
A little Illini perspective. First of all, I'm terribly sorry about the tragedy in your program. Obviously, that is much more important right now, and my prayers go out to the young man's family. Truly awful.

On topic, if I am a betting man I say Antigua winds up at Kentucky. However, this is about Illinois showing that it is willing to spend like a big boy program, and it likely at least keeps Coleman around. Illinois has a massive alumni/fan base with plenty of deep pocket donors, and we finally (only as of 3-4 years ago) have an AD who is savvy enough to treat Illini Athletics as such and be competent enough to come up with tons of money when the situation calls for it. Our previous two ADs were cheap and small-time thinkers, so this has been a breath of fresh air. Even if OA leaves for Kentucky (as I expect him to, when it is all said and done), I think this sends an important message to both our fans and potential replacements that Illinois is intent on trying to become a national power and channeling the resources necessary to do so.

As for Kentucky being a clearly better destination, well yeah ... it's the crown jewel destination in college hoops. Saying it's a "better job than X" is redundant. However, people don't always leave for "better jobs." There is a tier of programs just below the Blue Bloods (think Syracuse, Arizona, Michigan State, etc.) that would never let their coaches be poached by a Blue Blood without a fight, and Illinois is trying to re-enter that category, and I would say we are off to a good start over the last few years (epic Loyola choke notwithstanding ... lol). Losing a coach to Kentucky is nothing to be ashamed of, and it's something that most programs cannot control/stop. However, losing a coach to a Blue Blood and just being okay with it/not putting up a financial fight is not something an AD serious about winning would let happen, and I am glad that we are getting out the checkbook, at least. At this point, we have done all we can and if we lose a coach to a historically superior program, you move on.

Whoever winds up with Antigua is pretty lucky, if you ask me, and he is worth every penny. He gets plenty of hype for his recruiting prowess, but I think his ability to develop guys is also criminally underrated.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the kind words, friend. And good insights too. Can’t disagree with anything you said. We’ve been clamoring on this board for a good while now that we wanted Antigua back so we definitely feel ya for not wanting to lose him.
 
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P

Paulyv94

Senior
Jan 21, 2020
660
884
63
This is Illinois just trying to look like they put some effort in trying to get him back. Done deal, he's coming. Chin as well.
 
S

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
If he's needed that bad by Cal, then he can certainly afford to take a couple million a year cut to pay for his salary!! Desperate times take desperate measures! Goodness knows he's not earning 9 million a year.
 
H

hoggwildcat

All-Conference
Apr 7, 2013
2,025
1,594
113
bthaunert said:
Here are current coaching salaries at UK:

Barbee - $550,000
Justus - $300,000
Bruiser - $500,000
Lucas - $275,000

Here are current Illinois salaries:

Coach O - $475,000
Coleman - $315,000
Gentry - $315,000
Click to expand...
After seeing the numbers, makes me think that offer is bogus. To give one assistant, possibility over an $800,000 raise, and leave all of your other assistants almost a million dollars behind seems like a stretch, and make the money strapped Illinois university athletic department have to renegotiate their contracts to make them happy. Also, the jump in the amount make you question, because it blows up the amount ($900,000) of the once highest paid coach by alot. So I say coach O was not offered the large of amount.
 
B

Blueworld_3.0

Heisman
Sep 23, 2008
14,131
11,260
113
JFCats22 said:
Barnhart has nothing to with any of this. Cal does it all and tells Barnhart what he wants/needs. All Mitch does is sign the contract.
Click to expand...
Wrong. The athletic dept has a budget that includes payroll and anything that goes beyond what is budgeted has to be approved by Barnhart, the Board and maybe even Capilouto.
Contracts are part of that process as well. You think Calipari and Barnhart were the only parties involved in the "lifetime" contract?
 
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B

Blueworld_3.0

Heisman
Sep 23, 2008
14,131
11,260
113
bthaunert said:
Here are current coaching salaries at UK:

Barbee - $550,000
Justus - $300,000
Bruiser - $500,000
Lucas - $275,000

Here are current Illinois salaries:

Coach O - $475,000
Coleman - $315,000
Gentry - $315,000
Click to expand...
If the reported offer is legit and I am Antigua, I am firing my agent as soon as I can hit speed dial.
To think he could have been making over TWICE what he is now all along? That's a donkey punch.
 
T

tls

Heisman
Nov 7, 2007
7,879
14,478
81
cat_in_the_hat said:
I don't really know who has more money, but I just want to point out that very little of Cal's salary is paid by UKAA. Most of it is paid by third parties. I don't know how the salaries of the assistant coaches work, but I wouldn't necessarily assume that UKAA would be paying all of the salary. When you bring in outside parties that pay a portion of the salary, who knows which school could afford to pay more.
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Back in the day, there was a limit on assistant salaries, not sure by whom. Knew one of the big donors who was supplementing David Hobbes salary above what was allowed.
 
G

gossie21_rivals69805

Heisman
Jan 24, 2005
20,352
11,690
0
Fighter of the Nightman said:
A little Illini perspective. First of all, I'm terribly sorry about the tragedy in your program. Obviously, that is much more important right now, and my prayers go out to the young man's family. Truly awful.

On topic, if I am a betting man I say Antigua winds up at Kentucky. However, this is about Illinois showing that it is willing to spend like a big boy program, and it likely at least keeps Coleman around. Illinois has a massive alumni/fan base with plenty of deep pocket donors, and we finally (only as of 3-4 years ago) have an AD who is savvy enough to treat Illini Athletics as such and be competent enough to come up with tons of money when the situation calls for it. Our previous two ADs were cheap and small-time thinkers, so this has been a breath of fresh air. Even if OA leaves for Kentucky (as I expect him to, when it is all said and done), I think this sends an important message to both our fans and potential replacements that Illinois is intent on trying to become a national power and channeling the resources necessary to do so.

As for Kentucky being a clearly better destination, well yeah ... it's the crown jewel destination in college hoops. Saying it's a "better job than X" is redundant. However, people don't always leave for "better jobs." There is a tier of programs just below the Blue Bloods (think Syracuse, Arizona, Michigan State, etc.) that would never let their coaches be poached by a Blue Blood without a fight, and Illinois is trying to re-enter that category, and I would say we are off to a good start over the last few years (epic Loyola choke notwithstanding ... lol). Losing a coach to Kentucky is nothing to be ashamed of, and it's something that most programs cannot control/stop. However, losing a coach to a Blue Blood and just being okay with it/not putting up a financial fight is not something an AD serious about winning would let happen, and I am glad that we are getting out the checkbook, at least. At this point, we have done all we can and if we lose a coach to a historically superior program, you move on.

Whoever winds up with Antigua is pretty lucky, if you ask me, and he is worth every penny. He gets plenty of hype for his recruiting prowess, but I think his ability to develop guys is also criminally underrated.
Click to expand...
I had two roommates in college from Decatur who were big Illini fans. So when you say it sends a message to "both our fans" I like to think you were referring to them.
As for your post, it is spot on and exactly the outlook a program like Illinois should have.
 
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S

ShowMeIllini

Senior
Dec 31, 2018
416
492
0
Illini fan here. Condolences from our fan base to yours regarding TC. Sad to see a young man los his life so suddenly.

Regarding basketball, I’m hearing some reliable sources indicating that Antigua has made the decision to stay at Illinois. Are you hearing any leaks on your end?
 
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W

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
10,631
13,623
113
Fighter of the Nightman said:
A little Illini perspective. First of all, I'm terribly sorry about the tragedy in your program. Obviously, that is much more important right now, and my prayers go out to the young man's family. Truly awful.

On topic, if I am a betting man I say Antigua winds up at Kentucky. However, this is about Illinois showing that it is willing to spend like a big boy program, and it likely at least keeps Coleman around. Illinois has a massive alumni/fan base with plenty of deep pocket donors, and we finally (only as of 3-4 years ago) have an AD who is savvy enough to treat Illini Athletics as such and be competent enough to come up with tons of money when the situation calls for it. Our previous two ADs were cheap and small-time thinkers, so this has been a breath of fresh air. Even if OA leaves for Kentucky (as I expect him to, when it is all said and done), I think this sends an important message to both our fans and potential replacements that Illinois is intent on trying to become a national power and channeling the resources necessary to do so.

As for Kentucky being a clearly better destination, well yeah ... it's the crown jewel destination in college hoops. Saying it's a "better job than X" is redundant. However, people don't always leave for "better jobs." There is a tier of programs just below the Blue Bloods (think Syracuse, Arizona, Michigan State, etc.) that would never let their coaches be poached by a Blue Blood without a fight, and Illinois is trying to re-enter that category, and I would say we are off to a good start over the last few years (epic Loyola choke notwithstanding ... lol). Losing a coach to Kentucky is nothing to be ashamed of, and it's something that most programs cannot control/stop. However, losing a coach to a Blue Blood and just being okay with it/not putting up a financial fight is not something an AD serious about winning would let happen, and I am glad that we are getting out the checkbook, at least. At this point, we have done all we can and if we lose a coach to a historically superior program, you move on.

Whoever winds up with Antigua is pretty lucky, if you ask me, and he is worth every penny. He gets plenty of hype for his recruiting prowess, but I think his ability to develop guys is also criminally underrated.
Click to expand...
Good post. Thanks for visiting peacefully.
 
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J

Jaycg15

Heisman
Jul 17, 2008
72,308
12,982
0
gossie21 said:
I had two roommates in college from Decatur who were big Illini fans. So when you say it sends a message to "both our fans" I like to think you were referring to them.
As for your post, it is spot on and exactly the outlook a program like Illinois should have.
Click to expand...
As a guy who grew up in Decatur, ditch those friends. ;)
 
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M

MakinMusic_rivals

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2006
10,724
3,609
66
If Calipari thinks he’s worth the money, pay him and roll. It’s Kentucky basketball, not Illinois basketball.....not to mention Kentucky, not Illinois. Illinois in general is a massive mess in terms of quality of life.
 
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W

Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0
If Antigua made the decision and told cal he’s going to UK and now balks to the fact Illinois offers more money then let him stay at Illinois. You either want to be at UK or you don’t. This isn’t the time to be using our program to pad your bottom line. If he made a pledge to cal he needs to honor it in this time or we don’t need him. There is more to life than money and I’m sure whatever UK had offered was very generous. He wants to turn that down ro stay at a 3rd rate program then good luck. If he pledged to cal to take the job then at that moment he’s back in the family and he needs honor it.

on another note there are plenty of good coaches IMO even better than Antigua out there. Cal will get creative and find the right guy. I like Antigua but this isn’t the time to be dicking around with our coach and program.
 
S

St.PatterSoN-54-

Heisman
Jul 11, 2007
27,222
34,299
0
One of my favorite lines (and worst accents) in any movie. Gotta love Teddy KGB.

 
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HagginHall1999

HagginHall1999

Heisman
Oct 19, 2018
16,222
28,827
113
hoggwildcat said:
After seeing the numbers, makes me think that offer is bogus. To give one assistant, possibility over an $800,000 raise, and leave all of your other assistants almost a million dollars behind seems like a stretch, and make the money strapped Illinois university athletic department have to renegotiate their contracts to make them happy. Also, the jump in the amount make you question, because it blows up the amount ($900,000) of the once highest paid coach by alot. So I say coach O was not offered the large of amount.
Click to expand...

That isn't how it will work. If they bring in Antigua at say $1.2m a year the whole staff will get a bump, guarantee it.
 
J

JAC71

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
5,042
9,504
113
If I’m making a mill and another guy is making 1.4, there’s not much more he can do that I can’t so it’s going to come down to where he wants to continue his career in my opinion.
 
B

birdforbogey

All-Conference
Aug 13, 2017
3,644
4,593
0
Wildcats1st said:
If Antigua made the decision and told cal he’s going to UK and now balks to the fact Illinois offers more money then let him stay at Illinois. You either want to be at UK or you don’t. This isn’t the time to be using our program to pad your bottom line. If he made a pledge to cal he needs to honor it in this time or we don’t need him. There is more to life than money and I’m sure whatever UK had offered was very generous. He wants to turn that down ro stay at a 3rd rate program then good luck. If he pledged to cal to take the job then at that moment he’s back in the family and he needs honor it.

on another note there are plenty of good coaches IMO even better than Antigua out there. Cal will get creative and find the right guy. I like Antigua but this isn’t the time to be dicking around with our coach and program.
Click to expand...
So, you are saying if Antigua made a pledge to Cal, he needs to honor it.
 
K

Kubballfan

Senior
Apr 6, 2012
297
444
0
Kansas fan here. First, I am very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and BBN.
I hope you get Coach O back. I want Kentucky strong. I very much look forward to KU UK games and think it is a great budding rivalry.

And bringing him back may set up Coach Calipari’s replacement (which I hope will be years from now. )

Peace BBN.
 
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W

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,536
15,792
78
Kubballfan said:
Kansas fan here. First, I am very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and BBN.
I hope you get Coach O back. I want Kentucky strong. I very much look forward to KU UK games and think it is a great budding rivalry.

And bringing him back may set up Coach Calipari’s replacement (which I hope will be years from now. )

Peace BBN.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the nice post.
 
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