This may not be a popular opinion, but if they were to key him go this year, that would be in extremely poor taste. In three of our five games, we were down how many players? We went through how many quarterbacks? When we had our full compliment of O-Lineman and our starter....we looked pretty darn good. They're causing turnovers, they're running the ball....looks pretty good. In a "normal" year, with a full slate of pre-conference games...one could argue that we'd be 5-3 right now(assuming 3-0 non conference record). I don't think anyone here would have a problem with that.Maybe so, however the Illini face planting after the Wisconsin game did not help. Lovie tries to rely on his past when his name was somewhat relevant, and that does not sit well with HS Coaches or players. He has not recruited well since he has been here and the staff he surrounded himself with is not great with recruiting, minus a couple. Lovie does not get a pass, as he has run out of those here in year 5. I have my doubts that a miracle turnaround this year sparks the recruiting trail for the Illini due to Lovie's approach and inability to even close. Now beat OSU!!
In regards to recruiting, I'd admit that, by rankings, this class doesn't look to be rounding out well. That said, with no football season in the state, we're not seeing "late bloomers" or development on any of these kids. It's a crummy situation for these in state kids.
Lastly, it seems that some believe that the Illinois name is considered to be a job that people just can't pass up. To say the least, you'd have to be drinking the O & B Kool Aid AND have the O & B glasses on at the same time. We went down this road with Zook. We were going to multiple bowl games and after a .500 season(which included a bowl game), he was fired. How did that work out for us? Hint....not too well.
Here, we have Lovie. He takes us to a bowl game last year, we're at 2-3 this year having won two road games....in a pandemic year and this is unacceptable? Have we not learned our lesson?
I think that we're lucky to have this guy, the kids love playing for him, he's an upstanding guy, we're winning games and the record year over year has continued to trend upward. People want to start over, withstand all of the transfers that will follow, bottom out(again) and hope a wing and a prayer happens?
After all of the chaos that he(and all coaches) have had to endure this year....I'd be disappointed in JW if he took that stance. However, if we win 2 games in 2021....that's a different conversation.
Just my take.