Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach
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FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Here's hoping that someone requests a copy of Josh Whitman's napkin sketch of the coaching search timeline and requirements. Want to know if it's a cocktail napkin or full size
EfremWinters84
- S. Carolina
Great question. $5M at Tampa Bay.
And if he's the third biggest name in the Big 10, I think he needs to be paid accordingly.
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Anyone concerned that this would just be a stepping stone job for Lovie, and that he'll jump at the first opportunity for a better job in the NFL?
ChainsawRevItUp
- Chicago
This is an amazing hire to make in March as a new AD. JW's NFL connections must have played a huge role here.
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Then that means he did good at Illinois. So fine by me.
EfremWinters84
- S. Carolina
I would welcome coaches jumping to the NFL because of their extreme success at Illinois!
At this point I don't even care, he if can get our program back to a level where the nfl wants him back, it's a win win for both parties. Would open the door to many other coaching options.
Even if that were to happen, it is more than likely that he had some success at Illinois or at the very least, him coming here and then leaving for the NFL helps legitimize us and bring us into at least some focus in college football. It is a win either way.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
He might, but no that's not a concern at all! If he's done that good of a job, we're no longer a joke.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
+infinity
Agreed. For him to get snatched up, I'd guess he'd need a bowl in the first season and a prestigious bowl in the second season. If that's the case, sure, thanks for everything Lovie!
BlindLoyalty
- FartNoiseMotivation
If Lovie Smith is the hire, I can't imagine how any experienced Illinois fan could be anything but pleased. Hiring Smith would certainly raise our profile as a football program and also give a boost to our poor minority hiring history at the highest levels of the University.
I don't know how much sustained success any football coach can achieve at Illinois, many of the obstacles may simply be intrinsic (rural location, limited local recruiting pool, admission standards, recent losing history, etc). Looking to former NFL to NCAA coaches, if the new coach can consistently achieve Wannstedt-like results at Pitt, I think 99% of Illinois Football fans would be content.
We have hope.
I don't know how much sustained success any football coach can achieve at Illinois, many of the obstacles may simply be intrinsic (rural location, limited local recruiting pool, admission standards, recent losing history, etc). Looking to former NFL to NCAA coaches, if the new coach can consistently achieve Wannstedt-like results at Pitt, I think 99% of Illinois Football fans would be content.
We have hope.
Keep in mind that I think Tampa still will be paying him....which means that anything he makes, is taken off of that. I could see a great deal for the Illini, low start with a big big big bump when the Tampa contract runs out. Also, might help attract other coaches.
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Here is a good reason for now, if it is Lovie Smith as everyone seems to think. It obviously brings instant name renegotiation to the program. And I doubt with the Cubit situation season ticket sales would have seen any measurable increases if any at all. Now if Lovie Smith is the Head Coach, walking into a recruit's home anywhere in America, his name will probably be more well known than Bill Cubits name (no disrespect intended).
On season tickets, this is only a guess, but I would assume an uptick in sales. So Illinois could stay stuck for a year where they were, or move forward as they did. Time will tell if they made the right move.
On season tickets, this is only a guess, but I would assume an uptick in sales. So Illinois could stay stuck for a year where they were, or move forward as they did. Time will tell if they made the right move.
Sometimes things do work out. I was disappointed we missed on Dino but this seems so much bigger.
Kramer
- Des Moines, Iowa
Well played!
Holy crap! Stunning news, assuming it's Lovie. He ain't the greatest coach in the world but to think we go from Beckman to Lovie may make all the BS in between worth it. Folks talking about Frazier as a DC, well yeah that would be nice, but Lovie knows some D himself, so Lovie emphasizing D with his own time and grooming a promising young D guy would work for me. My biggest concern will be who will run the offense. I REALLY hope that's not Lovie, i.e., that he gives that guy some free reign and just oversees.
Whitman ... man!
Whitman ... man!
He's a "top half of the B1G guy" in overall coaching.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Get ready to retire this thread for a good number of years!
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Stolen from The Champaign Room comments section, but I figured I'd post it on here. Thought it was pretty good.
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