Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach

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#1,301      

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bredhartmann said:
Wilbon on PTI just referred to the hire as a "genius move" after admitting he hates U of I as a Northwestern grad.
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Just watched that too!! Had high praise for the move. The folks on Around the Horn didn't have much praise for it, but I tend to agree with what Wilbon had to say. I can say by mid morning today I had a friend who is a Bama fan text me about what a great move this was, a cousin who is a Wisky fan say the same, and my wife, who pays no attention to football at any level say hey, did you hear Illinois hired that coach that took the Bears to the super bowl!! Illinois is the talk of college football nation today and it's a great feeling to be for something positive. I started following Illinois basketball in the late 80's when I was about 10. Followed some of the early 90's football teams a little bit, actually met Kevin Hardy in Evansville right after he had signed with the Jags. He had came into a Tractor Supply store to buy a lawn mower for his dad and I was working there at the time. But, I never really followed college football much because Illinois has been bad for so long. This morning for the first time ever, I have been looking at the football schedule and trying to figure out a couple games I can go to and will start following football threads. Never thought the day would come, and I can finally wear some of those Illinois football shirts I have and not feel embarrassed about it. JFW and Lovie have brought an amazing spark to a University in dire need of it!! Can't wait to see what the future holds for Illini nation
 
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Dan

Dan
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Dan
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#1,303      

Tevo

Tevo
Wilmette, IL
Tevo
ilphotog said:
We were packed like sardines in the room, when done the look on everyone's face was simply a big smile and true joy. It's been a long while since I've seen that.
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Any spontaneous cheers of I-L-O! V-I-E!?
 
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IAmChrisFarley

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IAmChrisFarley
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#1,306      

Genesis

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Whitman obviously had to do a lot of homework, put together an impressive business case and then sell it to Wilson and Killeen, all the while getting a crash course on the new job, flying around and meeting tons of media and supporters. He did a lot of work in a short time that went unnoticed. When you're a winner that has excelled in everything you do, you can be confident you can do this. It's a good thing that Wilson and the committee weren't blinded by the Div III background like so many posters here were and they realized they had a confident leader who can make things happen. Josh Whitman is a winner!
 
#1,308      

dsg

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dsg
BananaShampoo said:
The amazing thing to me out of all this is that not only did a brand new AD, who was literally hours into the job which was two steps up from any previous position that he had had, manage to change the perception of a University and football program from "uncool dumpster fire trainwreck" into "100% cool" in a matter of 48 hours, but the fact that he did it with the utmost level of skill, professionalism, and bravado that was so un-Illinois-like as for it all to seem like an incomprehensible dream. Josh Whitman has to be the coolest of the cool to pull off something like this, and probably made the biggest splash of any new hire in the history of employment. And he pulled it off with ease. Not even a hint of nervousness amid all the media inquiries and rumors and attention. Just smooth. I'm still in awe.
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#1,311      

whatahack

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St. Peters MO
whatahack
What I noticed and like was how he always said we, us and our. Never said I, me or them. Just a little thing but sticks with me.
 
#1,312      

dsg

dsg
dsg
whatahack said:
What I noticed and like was how he always said we, us and our. Never said I, me or them. Just a little thing but sticks with me.
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I noticed that too and liked it. I also liked how he knew what our record was from last year and who our first opponent is this year off the top of his head.
 
#1,315      

Paignt It Orange

Paignt It Orange
Paignt It Orange
So pumped right now! I'm out grilling in my Illini stocking cap, Illini long sleeved tshirt, using my Illini spatula and tongs, drinking a Corona. And I didn't even have to use my AK. Today was a good day.:):shield::hailtotheorange:
 
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#1,316      

FeelYourPaign

FeelYourPaign
So Cal
FeelYourPaign
This was all so refreshing in so many ways.
Unexpected
Bold
FAST !! No agonizing
Big league, not bush league.
Well orchestrated and made a good impression on non-fans.

Just a heck of a day.
Somebody throw me a line, I'm floating away.
 
#1,318      

Fillory

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4th Floor Grainger
Fillory
This is still hard to believe and has not sunk in yet.
 
#1,319      

chrisc

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Johns Creek, GA
chrisc
Paignt It Orange said:
So pumped right now! I'm out grilling in my Illini stocking cap, Illini long sleeved tshirt, using my Illini spatula and tongs, drinking a Corona. And I didn't even have to use my AK. Today was a good day.:):shield::hailtotheorange:
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:thumb: My wife and I got a good laugh out of this one. For the record, I wore my orange and blue today and also was able to refrain from using my AK.
 
#1,320      

sigint

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sigint
IAmChrisFarley said:
Wilson was all-in on George cause Khan was all-in. She took the right advice from the right people, I.E. boosters.
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I don't buy that always doing what major boosters want is some sort of unilaterally good decision, but I'll be damned if it didn't work out well for us in this instance. I'm happy I was wrong, that's for sure.
 
#1,323      

BillyBob1

BillyBob1
Champaign
BillyBob1
EfremWinters84 said:
This is horrible to say but there seemed to be a lot more "polish" in the audience today with the Chicago media in town asking questions. They asked some great questions. Oh, and Ryan Baker had a front row seat.
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Ryan Baker is the host for Illinois tv shows.
 
#1,325      

Kramer116

Kramer116
Chicago
Kramer116
I still can't believe this, not sure how I can patiently wait for the full coaching staff to be announced now...
 
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