This is Illinois hiring oscar from Southern Illinois only without Bill Self or Bill Self's players ever being in the equation.
No. The Illinois AD at the time hired oscar because it was an ultra-safe hire. oscar was never going to leave like Kruger and Self did. It was dickless and weak and scared. Illinois was attractive at the time. Self and Kruger had it rolling. He could have hired another up and coming guy like say Matta who would have been a challenge to hold onto if he blew up. He was a small-minded scorned coward instead.
This seems like a lack of options more than a safe hire. I mean their last hire was very questionable and then he beat the posse out of town. They're hurting. They didn't want this, they had to accept it.
