Public concern for Jerrance Howard

"But one city coach predicted that Howard "will be totally ignored like Illinois was before Tony Yates and the post-Jimmy Collins era and until Bill Self came in. I just don't think (Weber) has any concept of what goes on in Chicago."

It means that Illinois wont pony up the bling, bling, and Weber will leave that to other programs of higher learning. When Illinois starts losing qualified CPL players to other Big Ten programs, then Ill worry. Fact is, HS and summer coaches in Chicago are steering kids away from Big Ten whether they qualify or not.

If Webster had such a good rep in the city, why were players still heading to Memphi$, Oregon (WWW) and beyond?

Besides, Illinois only had 1 CPL player on their Final 4 team, but they had 3 kids from Texas. As Ron Zook says, "Head south young man for some great talent."

Ok, so why didn't Tracy Webster get any love from these coaches? He's from Chicago. It shouldn't be the coaches decision where these kids go to school, it should be the recruit and his family. A lot of these CPL coaches are just looking for a handout; Illinois is too good for that.

Exactly. As a U of I alum and Chicago resident, I too ask why nobody from Chicago had any time for U of I even though we had Webster. All these jags in the city with their hands out will have to look elsewhere if that's the case. Seems pretty funny to me. Rather than looking for the best situation for their student athletes, Chicago coaches look for the best situation for themselves. Your kids could be playing at the state U, for a great coach, and get a degree, and have someone who actually cares about them as people...but you'd rather they play for the highest bidder. Does Bill Self have anybody on his staff from Chicago? Ernie Kent's a friggin Rockford guy...but he had no problem swooping in. I hope Weber and staff look to recruit nationally, because Chicago coaches with their hands out won't ever get what they want from the U.

Remind me again of the flood of Chicago public league recruits Bill Self got from these coaches being quoted who supposedly pine for him now. What a bunch of horse-puckey.

These public league coaches are gutless. They rip on Illinois but don't have the guts to put their names out there. Put a name on these quotes instead of "one coach said". It's sad that these people treat the U of I like this. What do they want? Money? I say keep the Peoria pipeline open. Why would they hire Notree? He already abandoned Illinois once. How does that look to recruits?

In reading about the CPL's disapproval of Jerrance Howard as assistant coach for the University of Illinois, a few things came to mind. First of all, I was pulling for Robert Smith to get the job. I would had loved to have seen him down in Champaign. But, to say Howard's hire is like a slap in the face to the CPL coaches, is going a little far. When has the CPL ever supported the University of Illinois? I know, you're going to bring up the Henson administration. Name me 4 coaches from the CPL, outside of Hambric and Cox, that sent kids to Illinois during Lou's tenure. And the statement " Bill Self did it in a short period of time ", think about it. That 2001 Self team that made to the Elite Eight, did not have one CPL kid on the team. The only kid Self got from the CPL was Luther Head, who was developed into the player he became by Weber.
No I didn't forget Aaron Spears, but everybody else has. The CPL will support just about in program in the country, but fail to support the state school. Whose slapping whom?

"one coach said" a load of negative BS, and then
"one coach said" another load of negative BS, and then
"one coach said" yet another load of negative BS.

Hey Taylor Bell, you are a brave man for publishing such bold quotes.

Better you should have published names with these "quotes" you "report", so the CPL guys with issues could come out of the closet once and for all.

Dee Brown a better choice? Maybe you and your "one coaches" should read what Dee says about Jerrance, and how he looks up to be like Jerrance some day.

The Illini disrespecting Chicago? No, just not in the business of changing diapers, that's all.

Who is Jerrance Howard? He has no credibility and no stripes in Chicago. He'll get no rhythm in Chicago, no love," one coach said. "The fact that he is black and played at Illinois cuts no mustard up here. It's all about disrespecting Chicago."

Another coach said Howard's hiring is a slap in the face to Chicago. "We have no clue who (Howard) is. Now (Weber) has two Peoria people (the other is former Peoria Manual coach Wayne McClain) on his staff and nobody from Chicago. It makes no sense," he said.

I live downstate and I can sympathize with the Chicago coaches who provided these quotes. As someone geographically closer to the U of I, I respectfully disagree that the hiring is a "slap in the face to Chicago." The reason for the hiring is that the U of I is cheap. Jerrance Howard is 27 years old, and this will be his first on-the bench college coaching job. Things will not change until the administration finds an athletic director to match the pizazz and energy of Jolette Law, Dee Brown, and Ron Zook.

So, all Chicago area coaches and Illini fans, those of us downstate are not against you...we commiserate with you and live with it everyday. Reviewing everything I wrote in this post, I should add, in business an employer who is motivated by budget, oftentimes gets lucky going with the younger, high energy choice. I hope Jerrance turns out to me a top quality recruiter and coach..despite the reasons of the people who hired him.

I find it sad that these coaches apparently are more interested in what's best for themselves rather than what's best for the kids they coach. So Illinois won't "kiss the rings" of the CPL coaches? I say good.

It's time for the administration of the Chicago Public Schools to wake up and take more of an interest in the futures of some of their most talented and most well-known students. The personal agendas and fiefdoms of the CPL coaches need to be reined in.

I typed my name, and I stand behind my comments. First, when it comes to the U of I nobody with any sense believes a word Taylor Bell says. He has lied continually about our university, is negative to the point of obsession, and now gives us this nonsense without naming any individuals. Second, which coach did you talk to. Anthony Long$$treet at Crane? Or did you just make up this story? I could find a coach who is negative about anyone, if I tried. Did you talk to Robert Smith? Without naming sources, why should I believe anything in tyour article? You lost your credibility with the fans of Illinois a long time ago.

Taylor,

Maybe someone should tell your one coach that there is more to the state of Illinois than north of I-80. The CPL "Cash Please League" can send every player they have elsewhere as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather get a player from Illinois than Chicago anyway.

My how things have changed in the last year.

1st of all Howard must be doing something right, if Kentucky and Louisville was after him for there current open posistions. As far as getting a coach from Chicago, its not about where you are from, its about how you sell your school and how you are looking out for the kids best interest. All the coaches from Chicago have the " whats in it for me" syndrome. AAU coaches as well, they recruit these top players for there summer leagues and are trying to get a coaching job themselves .
I could have believed if you would have said McClain had no juice in Chicago, figuring he was a H.S. assistant for 20 years and the only reason he got the job at Illinois was so they could get his son. But to say Howard doesnt is pretty stupid.