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Illinois Basketball: 5 assistant coach options for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 23: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 23, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OK – MARCH 20: A view of the ball during the third round game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 20, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Daniyal Robinson – Assistant Coach, Iowa State

Obviously, not letting recruiting slip is a main priority for the Illinois basketball program. That is why pulling someone like Daniyal Robinson away from Iowa State would be optimal. He is someone who could actually improve Illinois’ in-state recruiting.

  • Experience

There is some decent coaching experience that Robinson brings to the table. He coached at Illinois State and Arkansas-Little Rock before moving onto a job at Iowa State. Robinson had two different stints with the Cyclones and was with Loyola (Chicago) for a couple of years in between. His second run with Iowa State has lasted five years now. So, there is some experience with Robinson.

  • Recruiting

This is the strong point with Robinson. I believe Lowery is lacking in recruiting, but Robinson has shown he can pull in the talented recruits. 247Sports has given credit to Robinson for Iowa State securing some top Midwest talent. The biggest name on the board in my eyes is Talen Horton-Tucker. But he has also pulled in Tyrese Hunter, Zion Griffin and Terrence Lewis, to name a few. I love Robinson’s recruiting ability.

  • Availability

Now, this is where things could get interesting. Steve Prohm was fired after the season. He was replaced with TJ Otzelberger. But Otzelberger did retain Robinson as an assistant coach. Despite Robinson being retained, the situation with the Cyclones has to be a little sticky. I would imagine Robinson would want to get out of town while he isn’t fired yet. Eventually, Otzelberger will want to bring in his own guys. This might be the best time for Robinson to make a move.

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