I agree. I was never a subscriber to blame-the-fans excuses, believing that you have to win first and expect to sell tickets later. But this is a truly exceptional situation. They just hired a top echelon HC and found $4 mil (from somewhere) to pay for assistants, which is exactly what we've been blasting them for not doing the past two decades. It's kind of incumbent on the fans to step up now and answer in kind by filling up the place.
Illinois Football Staff Thread
I agree. I was never a subscriber to blame-the-fans excuses, believing that you have to win first and expect to sell tickets later. But this is a truly exceptional situation. They just hired a top echelon HC and found $4 mil (from somewhere) to pay for assistants, which is exactly what we've been blasting them for not doing the past two decades. It's kind of incumbent on the fans to step up now and answer in kind by filling up the place.
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
All I know is the OC better be the highest paid assistant!! Maybe even tops in the B1G!
If I remember correctly, I think Lovie mentioned something about having a good special teams, so I would lean that way.
I would not go on the cheap with S&C. We saw what happened after Lou left
My thoughts. Leaves 500 k for any positions that need a bump. Or add 75 k to each position coach.
Kramer116
- Chicago
I would do something along these lines, without having any idea if you put WR/TE together and RB/H-back together:
OC/QB- $1M
OL- $400-500K
WR/TE- $200-300K
RB/H-back- $200K
DC-$600-700K
DL-$400-500K
LB- $200k
DB-$200K
ST - $200K
Obviously most important and where you spend the most money without a doubt are OC/QB, OL, DC, and DL. For me it all starts up front at the OL and DL. We might easily see the DC also coach the DL, for example, which opens up another spot offensively.
If that is the case, I am all for going for a stud recruiter as TE/recruiting coordinator with that extra slot.
OC/QB- $1M
OL- $400-500K
WR/TE- $200-300K
RB/H-back- $200K
DC-$600-700K
DL-$400-500K
LB- $200k
DB-$200K
ST - $200K
Obviously most important and where you spend the most money without a doubt are OC/QB, OL, DC, and DL. For me it all starts up front at the OL and DL. We might easily see the DC also coach the DL, for example, which opens up another spot offensively.
If that is the case, I am all for going for a stud recruiter as TE/recruiting coordinator with that extra slot.
Count me as crazy, but I don't pay the LB coach half or less than half of the DL coach. We are known for our famous LB's. These last several years (minus Jleman) have been extremely hard for me to watch. I want a helluva LB coach and I want to get back to the Butkus/Howard/Hardy days!
Close to what I would think. The DC, not as much as OC. I could see DB,or LB getting more and DL less depending on who they are. I would pay a little more if we could snag a highly thought of recruiter from a school. Need help on offense and recruiting. I know Lovie will handle the defense and I am thinking Phair will be the DC. What is his current salary?
The Galloping Ghost 77
- Wheaton, IL
No love for Jeff Hecklinski?
God, I'd hope with 4 mil we could at least upgrade from what is already there.
Mike Phair - $450,000
Maybe give him 500,000 or 550,000
Would welcome him staying. Top notch state of Illinois recruiter
In order of pay:
OC: hopefully Lovie finds someone he trusts enough to be mostly hands off
DC: Lovie will be strongly involved here so not as much as oc.
Next two most important positions imo
OL
DL
Rest are the great recruting assistants, but still able to coach 'me up
I would suggest going cheap on defense. Lovie and Phair should have a pretty good idea of what they want to do. We are going to need and an elite OC. Probably 700k to 1 million. A top flight recruiter isn't cheap either. I belive Brewster makes over 450k as a TE coach. He's probably worth 4 or more, 4 stars a year. You get two elite recruiters and talent will change in a hurry.
All good points. I hope Lovie is resonable on his kids and doesn't pull a Cubit with their salaries.
I just had a horrifying thought. Monte Kiffin, who developed the Tampa 2 with Tony Dungy and Lovie, is a defensive adviser to the Jaguars (Shad). Any chance there could be a package deal in the works for he and his boy Lane? Don't shoot me. Just curious.
At this point in his career, I don't think Lovie Smith needs a full time defensive advisor. Always good to have a sounding board type of person,Mobutu not someone full time.
Lane Kiffin is not leaving Nick Saban and Alabama for anything short of a head coaching job IMHO. Possible exception is an NFL coordinator position
You have to pay 150-300K for a SC coach. My SEC friends say their SC coach is the most important person outside of HC, OC, and DC. If Lovie has any kind of connection to Lou, go after him and get it done.