Football Coaching Staff / Coaching Carousel Thread

[ChiefIllini]

The question I have is, how much will he gain next year in these two aspects.

Milo Eifler is track level fast. If he plays the MLB position (and plays it well), I can see considerable growth, considering how much pressure a true tampa 2 D puts on the MLB to read and react.

Of course, Beason is similarly speedy, and I think Hobbs and Adams are good players already, I dont think finding a 4th and 5th DB should be overly difficult, a few players showed flashes this past year.

Getting Cooper/Mathis would both be huge. I think if our interior linemen can get healthy, and Roundtree and Gay improve, the defense should be much improved. Individually, the players seem at least decent on paper. Depth might still be a question, and a lot still has to line up for this thing to work, but I believe we are in a good spot to improve dramatically, that also hinges on Lovie helping big time.

 

[Illinivek23]

Milo Eifler is track level fast. If he plays the MLB position (and plays it well), I can see considerable growth, considering how much pressure a true tampa 2 D puts on the MLB to read and react.

Of course, Beason is similarly speedy, and I think Hobbs and Adams are good players already, I dont think finding a 4th and 5th DB should be overly difficult, a few players showed flashes this past year.

Getting Cooper/Mathis would both be huge. I think if our interior linemen can get healthy, and Roundtree and Gay improve, the defense should be much improved. Individually, the players seem at least decent on paper. Depth might still be a question, and a lot still has to line up for this thing to work, but I believe we are in a good spot to improve dramatically, that also hinges on Lovie helping big time.

I still think reps and familiarity with specific positions, not just with the system, is going to help team speed and pursuit. For example, Tony Adams and Sidney Brown will only get better at S by playing there week in and week out, versus getting shuffled around between nickel and CB. Same goes for another year of maturity for Roundtree and Carney in setting the edge, which was a huge problem for this team. Losing Oladipo's versatilty when he was coming up the learning curve didn't help at the end of the year.

 

[Deleted member 654622]

I still think reps and familiarity with specific positions, not just with the system, is going to help team speed and pursuit. For example, Tony Adams and Sidney Brown will only get better at S by playing there week in and week out, versus getting shuffled around between nickel and CB. Same goes for another year of maturity for Roundtree and Carney in setting the edge, which was a huge problem for this team. Losing Oladipo's versatilty when he was coming up the learning curve didn't help at the end of the year.

Good Points about the backfield. Roundtree really had a good year, especially considering the first 3 games he was really MIA. If we can get that kind of maturity jump out of Calvin Avery....whew. We will see a big difference

 

[oldschool51]

Great points on both sides the bottom line is if coach Smith is the DC and it does not work he should and will be fired

 

[Illinir1]

It 100% has not been answered. What this year proved was this defense will not work with freshman and sophomores filling the majority of the spots. If Lovie's plan is to field first/second year players for the rest of his tenure, then yes, get him out of here. But that is not the plan. Let's see what this defense does with Seniors and Juniors. Then we can say whether it will be successful or not. Remember the ONLY time this defense looked good last year was when we played the other youngest team in the country.

I agree that it's not good to be playing Frosh/Sophs in the B1G. Yet, Lovie chose to play his recruits, to the point of driving good players out. Interesting that Tre Watson, Sr., Maryland linebacker, lead the B1G in tackles this year (115), and was named 2nd team All American. As a Sophomore for the Illini, during Lovie Smith's first year as Head Coach, he had 102 tackles. As a Jr. with the Illini he had 65 tackles.

 

[Pekinfan]

I agree that it's not good to be playing Frosh/Sophs in the B1G. Yet, Lovie chose to play his recruits, to the point of driving good players out. Interesting that Tre Watson, Sr., Maryland linebacker, lead the B1G in tackles this year (115), and was named 2nd team All American. As a Sophomore for the Illini, during Lovie Smith's first year as Head Coach, he had 102 tackles. As a Jr. with the Illini he had 65 tackles.

A good coach adjusts to the players he has. Lovie has not.
A good coach does not run quality players out of the program. Lovie has.
To think that one more year in the system and the addition of two or three players will make us a quality defensive is just wishful thinking.
If Lovie runs the defensive it will be a looooong season.

 

[RedRocksIllini]

I can accept Lovie being the DC. Not my preferred choice, but I can live with it. However, I would NOT be ok with Miles Smith being named DC. Not at all.

I would be totally fine with Miles Smith as DC IF it gets us to 6 wins next year. I'd be ok with DC MaryAnne Smith and 6 wins. Whatever it takes. But no 6 wins and a bowl game, bye bye Lovie.

(And for the record, Miles would be a horrible choice. I don't think Lovie taking that on is a good choice either. Jury's still out on MaryAnne.)

 

[ILL_INI]

I am not sure. I truly believe in the its the jimmies and joes rather than the x's and o's. I don't think the football IQ is there, we routinely didn't do simple things that should have to be taught to a D1 football player. The perfect example is Jake Hanson not once touching a tight end when he ran across the middle in the Iowa game. That is something you should learn in youth football or freshman football, no one gets a free pass over the middle of the field that is your chance to re route or drill the opposing player. I think Lovie can teach the game of football but I don't think he thought he would have to go and teach basc youth and high school stuff to these kids.

I'm not quite understanding your point. Are you saying Lovie has been derelict with coaching football fundamentals? Is his defense so complicated that he needs players in the system for 3-4 years, and doesn't have time to go over anything which a youth football coach can teach during their limited practices? Are you saying he is forgetful of his many years as a college coach, or is he simply incapable of recruiting players with sufficient football IQ? The Iowa game was the 11th game, and Hansen was in his third year of the system (second if you want to subtract his injured year). Doesn't the coach bear any responsibility?

 

[bombayIllini]

Milo Eifler is track level fast. If he plays the MLB position (and plays it well), I can see considerable growth, considering how much pressure a true tampa 2 D puts on the MLB to read and react.

Actually, Tampa 2 (as I understand it, NO expert here), with the MLB becomes Tampa 3. He is responsible for the deep-middle.

Of course, Beason is similarly speedy, and I think Hobbs and Adams are good players already, I dont think finding a 4th and 5th DB should be overly difficult, a few players showed flashes this past year.

Getting Cooper/Mathis would both be huge. I think if our interior linemen can get healthy, and Roundtree and Gay improve, the defense should be much improved. Individually, the players seem at least decent on paper. Depth might still be a question, and a lot still has to line up for this thing to work, but I believe we are in a good spot to improve dramatically, that also hinges on Lovie helping big time.

Well, in that case, next year we just may not have the depth we need to play for 40 minutes. Pure speculation on my part, but, we would then be able to meet standards for most of the game. Unless the current crop of kids can fill the roster - which is possible. Else we should start seeing results the year after, especially if Lovie can get a real good crop of D players in 2020.



No matter what, the emphasis is on individual plays - kids have to be able to tackle one-on-one (on an average). Else the roof falls.

 

[Deleted member 654622]

I agree that it's not good to be playing Frosh/Sophs in the B1G. Yet, Lovie chose to play his recruits, to the point of driving good players out. Interesting that Tre Watson, Sr., Maryland linebacker, lead the B1G in tackles this year (115), and was named 2nd team All American. As a Sophomore for the Illini, during Lovie Smith's first year as Head Coach, he had 102 tackles. As a Jr. with the Illini he had 65 tackles.

I do believe it was interesting and unfortunate. But he also did it for a particular reason. I can speculate, but that is pointless. I can say that by flushing the roster of lower level talent, I was not shocked by actual B1G talent not wanting to be involved in a rebuild. The question is where would the roster be if he didn't flush the roster as compared to what it is going to look like in 2 more years. Would we have competed more with Tre or Tito? Yes. But I don't think we would have as much potential moving forward. IMO

 

[Deleted member 654622]

A good coach adjusts to the players he has. Lovie has not.
A good coach does not run quality players out of the program. Lovie has.
To think that one more year in the system and the addition of two or three players will make us a quality defensive is just wishful thinking.
If Lovie runs the defensive it will be a looooong season.

Ok we just disagree.
A good leader will sacrifice short term goals for long term success
Maybe it is wishful thinking, after all, I am a fan. That is what we do. But I am going to lean toward improvement coming from Lovie's full attention, the addition of Milo (really good player in a really weak position), and the MOST important aspect, the maturity of the players on the current roster.

 

[Deleted member 654622]

Actually, Tampa 2 (as I understand it, NO expert here), with the MLB becomes Tampa 3. He is responsible for the deep-middle.
No matter what, the emphasis is on individual plays - kids have to be able to tackle one-on-one (on an average). Else the roof falls.

I think that is what he was referring to. The Middle Backer has his gap responsibilities in the run game, but if it is a pass, he has to haul his asset back 10-15yrds to cover any crossing patterns. Only top of the line athletes are able to accomplish that physical aspect. Let us hope Milo has the instincts to go along with his athleticism

 

[Illinivek23]

I think that is what he was referring to. The Middle Backer has his gap responsibilities in the run game, but if it is a pass, he has to haul his asset back 10-15yrds to cover any crossing patterns. Only top of the line athletes are able to accomplish that physical aspect. Let us hope Milo has the instincts to go along with his athleticism

How does defending RPOs on every play impact his read and ability to get back? Sounds tough to get right and on time.

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1073938296403881984

 

[IdahoIllini]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1073938296403881984

Were we hoping the buyout was going to be further reduced or were we just hoping it wouldn’t change?

 

[mhuml32]

Were we hoping the buyout was going to be further reduced or were we just hoping it wouldn’t change?

That it wouldn't change. Reducing the buyout was not a (real) possibility.

 

[Deleted member 654622]

How does defending RPOs on every play impact his read and ability to get back? Sounds tough to get right and on time.

I think you are 100% correct, it has to be extremely difficult. However, this defense is predicated on individual one on one matchups. He would have to read it as a pass and then come up if it is a run. If our D line is the quality it needs to be, someone will win their matchup and disrupt either option. Not saying it is a tackle/sack on every play. But just a reroute by the QB or RB delays the attack, allowing the rest of the defense to get there. That is just my guess

 

[Deleted member 654622]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1074066075392856064

For those that do not have twitter, Lovie Smith has been WAY more active on the recruiting front this year. This could go in the recruiting thread, however I would like to submit this as exhibit F of how Lovie is adjusting to make the program better.

 

[illiniwil]

When will we hear regarding our defensive coordinator? after bowls, after head coach firings?
Is that typically after NC game in January? Do coaches get together at a convention around that time?

 

[Deleted member 654622]

When will we hear regarding our defensive coordinator? after bowls, after head coach firings?
Is that typically after NC game in January? Do coaches get together at a convention around that time?

I believe there is a coaching conference sometime the first week in January...in Texas? I am to lazy to look it up. Werner just talked about it the other day. It is an opportunity for Lovie to meet up with potential candidates.

 

[Collegeguy]

AFCA convention is starts the weekend of NC game and goes through Wednesday although most are gone Tuesday. Lots of interviews occur.

 

[thunderwear]

I believe there is a coaching conference sometime the first week in January...in Texas? I am to lazy to look it up. Werner just talked about it the other day. It is an opportunity for Lovie to meet up with potential candidates.

My guess is that Whitman and lovie have made a list of who they want and will interview them as they are available.

 

[Deleted member 631370]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1074066075392856064

For those that do not have twitter, Lovie Smith has been WAY more active on the recruiting front this year. This could go in the recruiting thread, however I would like to submit this as exhibit F of how Lovie is adjusting to make the program better.

I don't claim to know how Lovie manages the program's recruiting effort.......but was he not really heavily involved before? If so, that's a pretty big missed opportunity.

The time for a new coach at a losing program to bring in good talent is when they're brand new and can sell kids on a vision. That's when Lovie should be busting his butt on the recruiting trail. Did that not happen?

 

[NScale]

Lovie should keep his beard till after Christmas. Then when activity picks up for hiring and more recruiting, the beard comes off and he gets a fresh start on the 2019 season. The effect of the beard on the success of the program was nil. So time for an image change. There is such a thing as Good JuJu and Bad JuJu.

 

[Deleted member 654622]

I don't claim to know how Lovie manages the program's recruiting effort.......but was he not really heavily involved before? If so, that's a pretty big missed opportunity.

The time for a new coach at a losing program to bring in good talent is when they're brand new and can sell kids on a vision. That's when Lovie should be busting his butt on the recruiting trail. Did that not happen?

All I can say is I do not remember seeing him this much on twitter last year. I also think they miscalculated the recruiting buzz his name as Head Coach would generate. I, like others, thought he would be more successful by just his reputation.
Was it a mistake by an NFL coach transitioning to the College level. Yes I agree. My continued point is, he is adjusting. It appears as if he has learned how important recruiting is. He now knows he wont be able to just coach up 2 and 3 star kids to the level of major success. Mistake, missed opportunity, yes. But the dude learned and is adjusting. Can we do anything about his past mistakes? No, you make adjustments. There is still plenty of vision to sell recruits under Lovie Smith.