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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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PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Archie Miller and associate head coach Tom Ostrom of the Indiana Hoosiers react to a play during an NCAA college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 24, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Indiana 74-63. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Archie Miller and associate head coach Tom Ostrom of the Indiana Hoosiers react to a play during an NCAA college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 24, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Indiana 74-63. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

3. Tom Ostrom – Former Assistant Coach – Indiana

Another impactful recruiter Illinois could swoop in and snag is Tom Ostrom. Nothing like staying in the Big Ten for an assistant, as Ostrom was the top recruiter under Archie Miller at Indiana. I believe he is now looking for a new job.

  • Experience

Ostrom has a ton of assistant coaching experience. He spent time with Florida, South Alabama and Arkansas as an assistant coach through 2011. After that stint, he went to Dayton and was an assistant under Miller. When Miller took the Indiana job, Ostrom followed and was his ace recruiter there as well. But new head coach Mike Woodson did not retain Ostrom.

  • Recruiting

A big part of the recruiting and winning at Dayton under Miller was due to Ostrom’s great recruiting ability. He was able to find diamonds in the rough. He also plucked out the talented kids from the Midwest who were overlooked by bigger programs.

When Ostrom arrived at Indiana, he really got to show off his recruiting chops. He is credited with bringing in talented players like Armaan Franklin, Romeo Langford, Khristian Lander and Trayce Jackson-Davis. He could come to Illinois and bring in some of the best talent in the country.

  • Availability

I touched on Ostrom’s availability earlier in this slide. Woodson didn’t retain Ostrom on his staff, so I believe he is still out there looking for a job. Illinois could be a nearly seamless transition. I think Ostrom would bring a great recruiting prowess to the Illini. We would own the Midwest if Ostrom came aboard.

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