INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 14: John Groce the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to his team in the game against the Michigan Wolverines during the Quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 14, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The University of Illinois announced on Saturday that they have fired John Groce after five underwhelming seasons in Champaign as the Illini’s head basketball coach.

Here’s the statement released by Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman on the decision:

“I want to thank John Groce and his staff for their tireless efforts over these past five years,” Whitman said. “In many ways, John is a model leader. He exudes optimism and tackles every day with unbelievable energy. He has the highest integrity. He has been an active presence in our community and a strong public ambassador for Illinois Basketball. Most importantly, he loves his players unconditionally and helps them develop into young men prepared for the next stages of their lives. Our student-athletes are having a positive experience, achieving record heights in the classroom, and leaving campus as proud graduates with bright futures.

“Under his leadership, regrettably, we were not able to sustain the level of competitive excellence that we expect at the University of Illinois,” Whitman continued. “But that should do nothing to detract from the many wonderful things John has done on behalf of Illinois Basketball during his tenure. We wish John, Allison, and their three children nothing but the best, and we thank his staff and their families as well for their many contributions to our program. All will be missed.”

Pretty nice words about a guy you fired!

Whitman adds that assistant coach Jamall Walker will serve as the interim head coach, and “a national search for the next head coach will begin immediately.”

The Illini went 95-74 and 37-53 in Big Ten play over Groce’s five seasons as head coach. They never finished above seventh-place in the Big Ten during that span.

Illinois is 18-14 this season, and will miss the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. They made the NCAA Tournament in Groce’s debut year, but that was also a team featuring many players Bruce Weber had recruited and developed.

(Speaking of Weber, he’s since had an underwhelming five seasons at Kansas State and is on the hot seat)

It appears Illinois is ready to spend for a big-name coach, just like they did with the football program last year when they hired Lovie Smith.

The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Illini are prepared to make Monty Williams — former New Orleans Pelicans head coach and current San Antonio Spurs vice president of basketball operations — one of the nation’s highest-paid coaches, but says that Williams will pass and focus on a return to head coaching in the NBA:

If we stick with the big names, one name that would make a lot of sense is Fred Hoiberg, head coach of the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are a mess (and figure to stay that way for a while), and Hoiberg may not mind a return to the collegiate level where he had plenty of success coaching Iowa State. Especially if Illinois is willing to pay similar money.

Then there’s of course Gregg Marshall at Wichita State. The Big Ten and a big contract may be enticing to the Shockers’ head coach.

Groce will be paid a $1.7 million buyout by Illinois for the two years that were remaining on his contract.

[FightingIllini.Com]

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

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