Four days ago, prior to accepting their bid to the NIT, Illinois fired its head basketball coach John Groce after a disappointing 19-14 record following the Big Ten Tournament. Today, there are reports that Illinois is now considering offering Virginia head coach Tony Bennett $4.8 million per year.
The rumor appears to have originated from Sam Snelling, who covers Missouri basketball for SB Nation’s Rock M Nation.
Here’s what I know, Illinois is talking about offering $4.8m/yr to Tony Bennett, they aren’t talking about offering half that for Cuonzo
— Sam Snelling (@SamTSnelling) March 15, 2017
The tweet came a couple hours before Cuonzo Martin was named the head coach of Missouri.