Honestly, when you're landing a bunch of 2 and 3 star recruits, a lot of them just wanted to go to play in the B1G and that doesn't change with a coaching change. In fact, maybe now they'll get the opportunity to play for a B1G caliber coach.
I am sure Lovie has ties in Chicago and St. Louis. I wonder if we can recruit some in Texas now. I suppose the assistants will have a big influence on the areas we draw from.
When you look where he is from (Texas) and where he has worked (St. Louis,Chicago,Ohio,Florida) You couldn't come up with a better list of potential recruiting grounds for Illinois. The only one missing really is Pennsylvania.
I am sure Lovie has ties in Chicago and St. Louis. I wonder if we can recruit some in Texas now. I suppose the assistants will have a big influence on the areas we draw from.
When you look where he is from (Texas) and where he has worked (St. Louis,Chicago,Ohio,Florida) You couldn't come up with a better list of potential recruiting grounds for Illinois. The only one missing really is Pennsylvania.
Rumor is the staff will have a heavy lean to FL and TX recruiting ties (outside of the obvious Illinois/StL).
I know not exactly the same, but Jim Mora Jr has brought in killer classes at UCLA. I would argue that Mora has less name recognition than Lovie and not the coaching record
True, but Mora is also selling LA, we are selling East Central Illinois. I'm not saying Lovie and his staff can't bring in monster classes for us, because I think he can and will, but UCLA and everything that comes with it has alot more curb appeal, we have country charm.
I think this might be the happiest I have been for our football program since the Rose Bowl season. I feel rejuvenated about Illinous Football.
True, but Mora is also selling LA, we are selling East Central Illinois. I'm not saying Lovie and his staff can't bring in monster classes for us, because I think he can and will, but UCLA and everything that comes with it has alot more curb appeal, we have country charm.
I think this might be the happiest I have been for our football program since the Rose Bowl season. I feel rejuvenated about Illinous Football.
Something I just thought of. Howard Griffith has been a huge advocate of this hire. Let's not forget...he has a blue-chip son in the class of 2018.
Something I just thought of. Howard Griffith has been a huge advocate of this hire. Let's not forget...he has a blue-chip son in the class of 2018.
"I just think that Illinois will have an easier time recruiting with Coach Smith in charge. With Lovie Smith you gain immediate attention, not just locally but nationally."
Ok, it's been what, a couple hours already, where is Lovie's first five star recruit
Seriously, I was one who questioned his possible ability to recruit. Not that he couldn't do it, but after so many years away from college recruitng, what would be his overall desire. I have switched, and am now convicted he will at least have us in the hunt for four and five star players, defensively at least.
Get a well know OC, like Sherman, and he could do the same for offense.
Future definitely bright.
I'll help him out. Go see these kids first. Only 5 kids have a rating of 4 stars or more. So Lovie will need to Texas and Florida love as well.
https://rivals.yahoo.com/illinois/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-3688
I'd really like Holocek on the staff, maybe he's comfortable with the jump now?
He'd take care of a lot of the Illinois ties you want, bring in some recruiters who know TX and FLA and you're looking good.
Something I just thought of. Howard Griffith has been a huge advocate of this hire. Let's not forget...he has a blue-chip son in the class of 2018.