How many unemployed jobseekers land their dream job? Count Paris Parham as one of the fortunate few.



Little more than two months after Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich left to become coach-in-waiting under Larry Brown at SMU - leaving Parham unemployed - the former ISU assistant on Thursday was officially announced an Illinois assistant under first-year head coach John Groce.



"Can you write a better script? This could be like a made-for-TV movie," Parham said. "It's been great. What happened at Illinois State was unfortunate. It's a part of the business. I had a great five years there. Coach Jankovich had an opportunity that he couldn't turn down. We talked every day throughout my process, throughout me looking for a job so all the respect to him and his family. But to land here has definitely been a whirlwind."



Parham fills the spot vacated by Isaac Chew, who left Illinois following just six weeks on in Champaign to take a higher-paying position on Buzz Williams' Marquette staff. Groce took his time with the hire, spending almost an entire month to find whom he determined to be the best fit. He's fortunate that Parham, a coach with deep Chicago roots and in-state success at the prep and collegiate level, was available the second time around.





...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial