Tony Dungy, the former head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs and Indianapolis Colts, is another who sees Smith making an easy transition back to college ball.
“This is outstanding for the University of Illinois,” Dungy said “If anyone asked me to identify someone from the NFL who would be great at coaching college football it would be Lovie Smith.
“He not only brings football expertise, but will help young men grow and have their best interest at heart. He is the type of coach I would want to send my sons to play for if they were playing college football. This is a sensational hire. He’s going to have moms and dads very excited to have their sons play for him.”
Mark Tupper