Illinois finally has its man, even if it was far from their first choice. After being rebuffed by VCU coach Shaka Smart and Butler's Brad Stevens, the Illini appear set to hire Ohio Bobcats coach John Groce, who just guided his team to the Sweet 16.
Related: Illinois Coaching Search: John Groce Agrees To Terms With Illinois, According To Report
According to Flight Aware, there's currently an airplane going from Champaign to Athens, presumably to pick up Groce and his family.
Still nothing confirmed. Flight from Illinois campus to OU (possibly Groce's) lands in Athens at 3pm ow.ly/9Uv7i (Via @thodson)
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 27, 2012
Lowery also confirms that Groce-to-Illinois is a "done deal".
Having the ordeal complete will surely be relieving to Illini fans and alums. The school didn't look good during the process to replace longtime coach Bruce Weber, but it certainly appears like they hired a worthy candidate. Groce is known as a savvy recruiter and solid X's and O's man, who knows the Big Ten from his time as an assist at Ohio State.
For more on this story, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Illini check out Hail to the Orange. For more news and notes around the country, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.
