ST. LOUIS – Dull moments are few when trying to shake a sleeping giant. A bull of a schedule that comes with selling a vision can buck a coach into the mud and humble along the way. It's best to grip for dear life and see where the ride swings.
"We've been drinking water out of a fire hose every day for six-and-a-half months," Illinois coach John Groce told FOXSportsMidwest.com, when asked to describe life since he was hired in March to replace Bruce Weber, who was fired after nine seasons. "Obviously, right from the press conference on, we knew at that moment we were at Illinois."
On Oct. 18, Groce was back living the blur, chatting up the Fighting Illini at Scottrade Center in an event announcing a six-year extension of the Braggin' Rights game against Missouri. Toto, he's not in the Mid-American Conference anymore. The former Ohio coach has lived change before, but this move is a whole different mammoth.
To some around Illinois, VCU coach Shaka Smart became the Lamborghini of athletic director Mike Thomas' search: Sleek, smooth but someone who remained a show-floor fantasy. Meanwhile, Groce became the Cadillac Sedan: Tested, trusted but someone who must prove he's a luxury buy in his first spin around Champaign this winter.
"There are some similarities in all transitions," said Groce, who led the Bobcats to the Sweet 16 last season. "The biggest one on this one is the demand on your time for speaking engagements, media, fans, boosters, donors, alums – just the magnitude of Illinois basketball. That part has been different but really cool. It has been awesome, and it's a privilege to think that many people care about the Fighting Illini. That part has probably been the biggest change."
With change comes challenge and opportunity. Led by No. 1 Indiana, the Big Ten Conference boasts five teams in the preseason Associated Press Top 25. Groce inherits a program that dropped 12 of its final 14 games last season, which made Illinois miss an invitation to March's dance floor for the third time in five years.
Despite a slip, familiar faces could ease Groce's transition into the floodlights of Assembly Hall. Guard Brandon Paul, who paced the Fighting Illini with 14.7 points per game last season, returns for his senior campaign. Senior guard D.J. Richardson (11.6 ppg) and junior guard Joseph Bertrand (6.5 ppg) also figure to be key contributors.
Yes, the Big Ten could be more rugged than a lumberjack's beard. No one said Groce's rookie season in Champaign will be a cakewalk. But it should never be as bad as walking across flaming coals either.
"I don't think you paint it necessarily in wins and losses and say there's a certain number we have to hit," Thomas told FOXSportsMidwest.com.
"Like John says, it's about chemistry. He calls it 'TNT' – togetherness and toughness. … I think it's probably also going to be a team that's going to get better as the year goes along."
Groce's history of floor burns in the Big Ten could help make that possible. He served as an assistant at Ohio State under Thad Matta from 2004 to '08. The stretch included a national championship game appearance in 2007, when the Buckeyes treated opponents like a seared steak before finishing 35-4.
Groce floored Thomas with his intensity. The coach also charmed his future boss with his hardwood IQ. Groce grew up in tiny Danville, Ind. – about 100 miles from Champaign – so he knows that hoops in the Big Ten footprint is as serious as a farmer's scowl.
"The key when you take over a program is getting guys to buy in to what you're selling," said Missouri coach Frank Haith, whose team went 30-5 in his first year last season. "As a head coach, how you do that, how you get guys to understand the importance of figuring out their roles within your structure of what you're trying to do … that's how you create an atmosphere of wanting to win. We were able to do that last year, and there's no doubt in my mind that John will be able to."
Groce hopes Haith's words prove prophetic. Now, he's trying to ace the small stuff: Grinning in his promotional tour, shaking hands, sharing ideas for breathing life into a program that became an eyesore without fresh vision. He must crawl before he can walk.
"I'm always trying to learn," Groce said. "I encourage the players to learn from every circumstance. I'm trying to do the same thing. I think that's how you get better. Each day presents different challenges, different opportunities. You try to tackle those and size them up and learn from them as you go along. I'm sure the whole year will be a learning experience for me and my staff."
One thing is for certain: It will never be boring.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
