According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, VCU's Shaka Smart has been offered a "lucrative deal" to become the next coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini. Smart just hasn't made up his mind yet. While Illinois plans where they may go next if Smart turns down the job, one unlikely candidate is reportedly lobbying for the position: current Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton.
Florida State's Leonard Hamilton is lobbying hard for the job, sources added.
It's curious why Hamilton would leave Florida State for Champaign. His Seminoles finished this season 25-10 and earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament before getting bounced in the Round of 32 by the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Hamilton is African-American, and the Illini are said in the same report to be targeting an African-American coach. Hamilton's Seminoles made waves this season for defeating North Carolina and Duke twice each.
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