bnwtwg Posted February 9 Posted February 9 2 hours ago, Nightcrawler said: Also, just gonna put this into the universe here: I cannot say I truly believe he would accept, but if Illinois is hiring this offseason, the first call seems really obvious to me: Jimmy Kennedy. Yeah, he is helping to build a monster at Oklahoma State. But the jump from "Associate Head Coach" to Big Ten Head Coach at your Alma Mater is the standard dream scenario career progression. He has helped Taylor stabilize Oklahoma State for two seasons. He could leave now with his head held high, saying "mission accomplished," to take what many would assume would be his dream job. llinois can offer him full autonomy. At Oklahoma State, he will always be David Taylor's Number 2. At Illinois, he would be King. There is a zero percent chance U of I would pursue Kennedy. He will likely never be a D1 head coach. i am an idiot on the internet
nhs67 Posted February 9 Posted February 9 4 minutes ago, bnwtwg said: There is a zero percent chance U of I would pursue Kennedy. He will likely never be a D1 head coach. Why zero? Why never? "I know actually nothing. It isn't even conjecture at this point." - me
bnwtwg Posted February 9 Posted February 9 (edited) 23 minutes ago, nhs67 said: Why zero? Why never? The technical skills are there, but the admin side and soft skills are not. To put it delicately, ADs, especially at Big Ten schools, have no interest in niche sport coaches who consistently make controversial statements. Fantastic coach and would no doubt do wonders, but I highly doubt Jim gets that call any time soon. Especially after the recent insta controversy on campus. He is in a great place for him at OkSt and strong family ties. Plus he gets to focus on wrestling not all the additional head coach duties. Edited February 9 by bnwtwg i am an idiot on the internet
nhs67 Posted February 9 Posted February 9 (edited) 11 hours ago, bnwtwg said: The technical skills are there, but the admin side and soft skills are not. To put it delicately, ADs, especially at Big Ten schools, have no interest in niche sport coaches who consistently make controversial statements. Fantastic coach and would no doubt do wonders, but I highly doubt Jim gets that call any time soon. Especially after the recent insta controversy on campus. He is in a great place for him at OkSt and strong family ties. Plus he gets to focus on wrestling not all the additional head coach duties. Educate us on the insta controversy? You don’t think he has gained any administrative skills the last two years (or when he was at Northwestern, another B1G institution)? Edited February 9 by nhs67 "I know actually nothing. It isn't even conjecture at this point." - me
bnwtwg Posted February 9 Posted February 9 2 hours ago, nhs67 said: Educate us on the insta controversy? You don’t think he has gained any administrative skills the last two years (or when he was at Northwestern, another B1G institution)? Judging from his recent social media activity I would say he doesn't care. Thus why I said OkSt is a great place for him. Here's what I'm referring to regarding the SRO. U of I doesn't like people who support executing citizens. i am an idiot on the internet
Fletcher Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 18 hours ago, Nightcrawler said: Also, just gonna put this into the universe here: I cannot say I truly believe he would accept, but if Illinois is hiring this offseason, the first call seems really obvious to me: Jimmy Kennedy. Yeah, he is helping to build a monster at Oklahoma State. But the jump from "Associate Head Coach" to Big Ten Head Coach at your Alma Mater is the standard dream scenario career progression. He has helped Taylor stabilize Oklahoma State for two seasons. He could leave now with his head held high, saying "mission accomplished," to take what many would assume would be his dream job. llinois can offer him full autonomy. At Oklahoma State, he will always be David Taylor's Number 2. At Illinois, he would be King. Isn't Taylor married to Kennedy's sister? Or vice versa? There's some weird incestuous thing going there that will make it harder than normal to pull him away from OSU.
MNRodent Posted February 9 Posted February 9 56 minutes ago, Fletcher said: Isn't Taylor married to Kennedy's sister? Or vice versa? There's some weird incestuous thing going there that will make it harder than normal to pull him away from OSU. Didn't stop Aegon I Targaryen and his sister-wives from invading Westeros.
ionel Posted February 9 Posted February 9 57 minutes ago, Fletcher said: Isn't Taylor married to Kennedy's sister? Or vice versa? There's some weird incestuous thing going there that will make it harder than normal to pull him away from OSU. Yes and DT parents live in Stillwater now, grandparent thing. They are not getting Jimmy. .
pcostilow Posted February 9 Posted February 9 51 minutes ago, ionel said: Yes and DT parents live in Stillwater now, grandparent thing. They are not getting Jimmy. I mean, Jimmy isn't the one who had kids with DT.
ionel Posted February 9 Posted February 9 45 minutes ago, pcostilow said: I mean, Jimmy isn't the one who had kids with DT. .
Idaho Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Looks like Poeta is out. Hunter continues on as acting coach. https://x.com/MatScouts1/status/2027143242383495414?s=20 Sponsored by INTERMAT
Idaho Posted February 26 Posted February 26 5 minutes ago, Coastal said: Terrible timing on Illinois' part. Wait a month and no one is paying attention to college wrestling. Or the program is relieved to have closure and to give Hunter the keys so they can move forward not having a mario question mark hovering over their heads. Sponsored by INTERMAT
WrestlingRash Posted February 26 Posted February 26 15 minutes ago, Idaho said: Looks like Poeta is out. Hunter continues on as acting coach. https://x.com/MatScouts1/status/2027143242383495414?s=20 wrestling is always on the chopping block and has to do things the right way. major screw up by Poeta and the school was clearly going to fire him as soon as this issue surfaced. they had no choice. probably just took time to lock down indemnification terms by both sides.
Dogbone Posted February 26 Posted February 26 I read it as Hunter is now the full time HC and they won't look to find anyone in the offseason. https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-wrestling-to-move-on-from-poeta-promote-hunter/
jchapman Posted February 26 Posted February 26 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Dogbone said: I read it as Hunter is now the full time HC and they won't look to find anyone in the offseason. https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-wrestling-to-move-on-from-poeta-promote-hunter/ Yeah, that linked article makes it pretty clear. Edited February 26 by jchapman Craig Henning got screwed in the 2007 NCAA Finals.
ionel Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Illinois Athletics says the terms of Poeta’s departure are still being finalized and will be communicated at a later date. Bunch of stuff doesn't add up based on what I've heard. Lets wait and see if anyone writes a big check or what FOIA turns up. .
Simpleman424 Posted February 26 Posted February 26 15 minutes ago, Idaho said: Or the program is relieved to have closure and to give Hunter the keys so they can move forward not having a mario question mark hovering over their heads. Everyone within the program (or being recruited) likely already knows what’s going on and it doesn’t affect them like that. Could have easily finished out the season…
Antitroll2828 Posted February 26 Posted February 26 17 minutes ago, Dogbone said: I read it as Hunter is now the full time HC and they won't look to find anyone in the offseason. https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-wrestling-to-move-on-from-poeta-promote-hunter/ That’s going to lead to a pretty big drop off for Illinois. They may be headed towards some tough seasons
Idaho Posted February 26 Posted February 26 7 minutes ago, Antitroll2828 said: That’s going to lead to a pretty big drop off for Illinois. They may be headed towards some tough seasons It will be interesting to see what he does with the staff now that it's his to decide. Important head assistant hiring. Sponsored by INTERMAT
Simpleman424 Posted February 26 Posted February 26 3 minutes ago, Idaho said: It will be interesting to see what he does with the staff now that it's his to decide. Important head assistant hiring. Indeed…team with the second most B1G Team Titles all time wants to make sure they’re in the best position to maintain that position or add to it
CHROMEBIRD Posted February 26 Posted February 26 1 hour ago, Coastal said: Terrible timing on Illinois' part. Wait a month and no one is paying attention to college wrestling. Nice try but that would be
AgaveMaria Posted February 27 Posted February 27 On 2/5/2026 at 10:52 AM, Fletcher said: Lucas Byrd's old enough to be a player-coach. Kinda like Paul Neuman in Slapshot. As long as he doesn't recruit three brothers & let them bring their Toys with them. ” Never attribute to inspiration that which can be adequately explained by delusion”.
NachoManRandySavage Posted February 27 Posted February 27 On 2/9/2026 at 11:34 AM, bnwtwg said: Judging from his recent social media activity I would say he doesn't care. Thus why I said OkSt is a great place for him. Here's what I'm referring to regarding the SRO. U of I doesn't like people who support executing citizens. Pretty sure that is his dad Jim's account. I mean I'm sure Jimmy is on the same political spectrum, but those aren't his posts
1032004 Posted February 28 Posted February 28 Saw someone claiming that U of I took $10 million from wrestling and gave it to football? Any truth to this?
PencilNeck Posted February 28 Posted February 28 1 hour ago, 1032004 said: Saw someone claiming that U of I took $10 million from wrestling and gave it to football? Any truth to this? https://fightingillini.com/news/2022/10/13/illinois-announces-plans-for-illinois-wrestling-training-center.aspx https://sports.yahoo.com/illinois-wrestling-training-center-project-213652449.html
Aidan Gore Garner, North Carolina Class of 2027 Committed to North Carolina State Projected Weight: 157, 165
Will Clanton New York Military Academy, New York Class of 2027 Committed to Mercyhurst Projected Weight: 125
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