Lovie Smith out at Illinois

[champaignchris]

I know some want to do their, “Ding dong the witch is dead,” thing, and I certainly don’t think Smith should have been retained.

However, I think we should appreciate the mess the football program was in when he got here - the player abuse scandal, the bizarre Cubit extension, the unnecessarily protracted AD search, and the fact that he came in less than a week before Spring practice started.

He didn’t have a first recruiting class, he had to pick from the leftovers for his coaching staff two or three months after the normal hiring cycle had already passed, and he didn’t have an opportunity to fully implement his schemes until the Fall.

There is no other coach of Smith’s quality that would have taken the job when he did. Whitman had to either go with Smith or waste another recruiting year treading water with Cubit.

I think Whitman made the right choice, and while I’m disappointed in Smith’s results, it’s also obvious to me that the program is in better than he found it, and because of that, Illinois will be able to attract a better coach than it did during the last hiring cycle. I don’t think the good Coach Smith did for the program showed up in the Win-Loss record, but I believe it will show up with this next coach that’s hired.

 

[BZuppke]

The AD is key. Every program that turned things around started with a great AD.

 

[BWBW]

It is sad that the Lovie hire didn't include better on-field results.

 

[Illwinsagain]

I know some want to do their, “Ding dong the witch is dead,” thing, and I certainly don’t think Smith should have been retained.

However, I think we should appreciate the mess the football program was in when he got here - the player abuse scandal, the bizarre Cubit extension, the unnecessarily protracted AD search, and the fact that he came in less than a week before Spring practice started.

He didn’t have a first recruiting class, he had to pick from the leftovers for his coaching staff two or three months after the normal hiring cycle had already passed, and he didn’t have an opportunity to fully implement his schemes until the Fall.

There is no other coach of Smith’s quality that would have taken the job when he did. Whitman had to either go with Smith or waste another recruiting year treading water with Cubit.

I think Whitman made the right choice, and while I’m disappointed in Smith’s results, it’s also obvious to me that the program is in better than he found it, and because of that, Illinois will be able to attract a better coach than it did during the last hiring cycle. I don’t think the good Coach Smith did for the program showed up in the Win-Loss record, but I believe it will show up with this next coach that’s hired.

I can see what you are saying, I hope you are right. I am not certain that, other than facilities, we are better off. And was that due to the hype around Lovie, or was that Josh Whitman?

 

[AutoPoster 3000]

We are talking about the same JW that hired Lovie and renewed his contract? RIGHT?

There was a context to the hire. It did a lot to re-establish the program's credibility.

Whitman didn't increase the buyout or guaranteed money. That's all that matters. You can extend him to 2050 as long as it's just as easy to fire him in 2020. Which is what happened.

 

[Illwinsagain]

We are talking about the same JW that hired Lovie and renewed his contract? RIGHT?

The extension didn't cost anymore, it was to show recruits that Lovie's contract went through their college careers.

 

[lstewart53x3]

Lovie blowing off the virtual conference with all the Illinois HS coaches probably was the final straw

I assume the decision was already made. Which lead to Lovie not attending the conference.

 

[CogDog]

I am elated! Thank you, Josh Whitman. Some of my hope has been restored. Now, I would assume that JW has spoken with his top candidates already or will soon...

 

[stevew7]

Just got this over email:

FOOTBALL ANNOUNCEMENT​

Dear Illini Family: Moments ago, we announced publicly that Lovie Smith will not continue as the head football coach for the Fighting Illini. Coach Smith has led the Illinois football program with unquestioned integrity during his nearly five years of service. His presence provided name recognition and credibility to Fighting Illini Football, which allowed us to raise more than $30 million for construction of one of the finest facilities in the country, the new Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center. On the field, Coach Smith elevated expectations for the program, improved the team’s talent, and led us to several notable victories. I have tremendous respect for Coach Smith and will always be grateful to him for providing a steady, experienced hand at a time when our program needed stability. His unshakeable leadership, never more needed than during this pandemic, will be forever remembered. I have enjoyed our relationship and will miss working with him on a daily basis. All of us associated with Illinois Athletics wish Lovie and MaryAnne nothing but the best. Beginning immediately, we will undertake a robust, comprehensive process to identify our next head football coach. I appreciate the public interest in this process and understand the speculation that will inevitably ensue. I would be remiss if I failed to remind you not to believe everything that you read or hear. The truth, I am afraid, is usually not nearly as exciting as the rumors. These transitions are never easy. My thanks to all of you for your understanding and support as we work to advance Illinois Football – and, by extension, University of Illinois Athletics – to a place of sustained success and national prominence. Gratefully yours, Josh​

 

[SuperMetroid]

It's really depressing that after 5 years of Lovie we're basically right back where we were at the start of the Beckman era (with nearly identical results to show for it). We have better facilities and the scandal/doofus stain is off the program, but the endless Wheel of Mediocrity that is Illinois football keeps rollin' on.

 

[Dbell1981]

Here's hoping players Beason, Cumby, Williams, and Cooper don't transfer out.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

It is sad that the Lovie hire didn't include better on-field results.

He hired two of his family members to coach on D. I was done with him at that point. Who did he think he was - Cubit?

 

[Sawicky]

I think they came here for Corey, not Lovie. Speaking of which. I hope Corey is retained.

Here's hoping players Beason, Cumby, Williams, and Cooper don't transfer out.

 

[TheChief4Life]

It's really depressing that after 5 years of Lovie we're basically right back where we were at the start of the Beckman era (with nearly identical results to show for it). We have better facilities and the scandal/doofus stain is off the program, but the endless Wheel of Mediocrity that is Illinois football keeps rollin' on.

You're not wrong as far as the record goes, but we are definitely NOT in the same place as we were after Beckman. Not only did Whitman have to clean house with the athletic program as a whole, Smith had to come in and had to clean some house also. Smith is a great mentor to these players, a great face of the program... he just can't coach anymore. It's really a darn shame. We have cleaned up the in house mess, now hopefully the next coach can clean up the on the field mess.

The biggest concern is that we're not looking at another 3 year rebuild to hope we hired the right person...

 

[rtbritt]

Here's hoping players Beason, Cumby, Williams, and Cooper don't transfer out.

Does Cumby even play? Admittedly, I don't watch full games often when the team isn't very exciting. I do read a whole lot about the team, though. Cumby is a small, fast, slot type guy....who hasn't done much for us, right??

 

[champaignchris]

It's really depressing that after 5 years of Lovie we're basically right back where we were at the start of the Beckman era (with nearly identical results to show for it). We have better facilities and the scandal/doofus stain is off the program, but the endless Wheel of Mediocrity that is Illinois football keeps rollin' on.

View attachment 6796

Illinois had had essentially 2 completely lost recruiting classes when Smith got here. It’s why his second season looked like a JuCo team after the seniors from his first year graduated.

While Smith’s recruiting hasn’t been where we wanted it, he at least has an entire roster of scholarship players to turn over to the next coach.

 

[Lexis20]

Well, attendance was really down this year.....

 

[dgcrow]

Lovie is a class guy, but a change was clearly needed. Go get a good one, Josh!

 

[Dbell1981]

Does Cumby even play? Admittedly, I don't watch full games often when the team isn't very exciting. I do read a whole lot about the team, though. Cumby is a small, fast, slot type guy....who hasn't done much for us, right??

He was getting some PT. Still young and plenty of time to grow and be utilized better.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

Jig was up after Wisconsin IMO. We start every season completely unprepared. Yes, we had QB problems with COVID, but our D looked clueless most of the season. Can't rely on turnovers as your strategy to win games. Hope we can find someone who cares about finding good kids and coaching them up.

Did he say we wish Coaches Smiths well - or just Coach Smith?

 

[Deleted member 747277]

I know some want to do their, “Ding dong the witch is dead,” thing, and I certainly don’t think Smith should have been retained.

....

I think Whitman made the right choice, and while I’m disappointed in Smith’s results, it’s also obvious to me that the program is in better than he found it, and because of that, Illinois will be able to attract a better coach than it did during the last hiring cycle. I don’t think the good Coach Smith did for the program showed up in the Win-Loss record, but I believe it will show up with this next coach that’s hired.

Agree with this sentiment. I saw the news and my heart sank. Not because I didn’t think it was the right choice. But this didn’t feel like when Beckman et al. Were let go.

Lovie seemed like a good guy, and I genuinely think some of the outbursts and grumpiness we’ve seen recently is out of frustration on his part that it didn’t work out. Not because he didn’t care or was just trying to ride into the sunset with some extra retirement money.

I will be excited once the coaching search rumors begin, but for now, thanks to Lovie for giving it a go in Champaign. It’s not easy, and I do think we are in a better place than when he came, even if not where we hoped we’d be.

 

[Illini_Jack]

I'm really surprised by this. I didn't think they would do it

 

[Subortus]

I was initially an enthusiastic supporter of the Lovie Smith hiring, but it changed to disappointment, and ultimately annoyance. He never seemed to be hungry enough to learn, evolve, and remake himself as a college football coach. The unimpressive recruiting, inability to hire a good staff, cronyism and nepotism, strange play-calling and game management, sloppy play, too many penalties, and lack of energy/passion continued for five seasons. I understand that some people feel that he's a nice guy, but we shouldn't be paying millions of dollars for a coach who is merely nice. We deserve more than that.

 

[ktal]

First off I'd like to wish good luck to Lovie and his family. I greatly appreciate the integrity and stability he led with, and truly wished his tenure had been wildly successful. Alas, the wins didn't come, so here we are.

There are several promising young up-and-coming coaches hoping for opportunity in the P5 who are realistic gets for Illinois this year. My guess is that Josh is already finalizing a contract with Lovie's replacement, and that it's someone we wouldn't be able to land if Texas, Nebby and another dozen P5 and G5 positions were also open. In other words, the chaos of this season may have created a uniqure opportunity for Josh to hire above our weight class.

I have a lot of confidence in Josh. I think he deservedly had every reason to expect Lovie could be successful here. I appreciate that he judged based on results, and I'm hopeful that he has done whatever due diligence required to ensure this next hire is truly able to perform.

My bet is we know the new coach before our next game. And probably by dinner on Tuesday.

 

[SuperMetroid]

You're not wrong as far as the record goes, but we are definitely NOT in the same place as we were after Beckman. Not only did Whitman have to clean house with the athletic program as a whole, Smith had to come in and had to clean some house also. Smith is a great mentor to these players, a great face of the program... he just can't coach anymore. It's really a darn shame. We have cleaned up the in house mess, now hopefully the next coach can clean up the on the field mess.

The biggest concern is that we're not looking at another 3 year rebuild to hope we hired the right person...

But that's kinda my point - regardless of the reason, we probably ARE looking at another 3 year rebuild. It's not really a dig on Lovie. It's just the nature of this program since pretty much 1980 when Mike White came on board.

The cycle roughly goes:
1. New coach is hired to clean up the previous coach's mess
2. We endure 1-3 years of mediocre to absolutely terrible football rebuilding
3. The new coach has some measure of "success". In a good year, it's 10 wins or a Rose Bowl, usually it's 7 and a Kmart.com Bowl.
4. We immediately begin a slide back down into mediocre to absolutely terrible
5. Coach is fired in the midst of his own mess (scandal, recruiting failures, on-field record)
6. Repeat steps 1-5

There's just never any sustained success that lasts more than a year. We haven't had back-to-back winning regular season records since Mackovic and Tepper's 6-5 / 6-4-1 in 1991-1992 Given the way we've looked most of this year and the state of recruiting....well...I'm strapping in for another heart-pounding Redbox Bowl appearance in 2024 and then hoping against hope for the best after that.