Illinois Football Staff Thread

#826      

ivwilsoniv

I
Aurora, IL
ivwilsoniv
I kind of assumed the staff would already be in place by now. Does it typically take this long? Or is it because we're halfway through March when Lovie's trying to fill a staff? Either way, this probably affects Spring Ball schedule even more.
 
#827      

IAmChrisFarley

I
IAmChrisFarley
ivwilsoniv said:
I kind of assumed the staff would already be in place by now. Does it typically take this long? Or is it because we're halfway through March when Lovie's trying to fill a staff? Either way, this probably affects Spring Ball schedule even more.
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We have all of next week to figure out coaches and spring ball. As they're on spring break.

It's taking this long cause it's March, and some of the guys he's after are with NFL teams who make good money right now.
 
#829      

combes

C
combes
It's been less than a week since Lovie got the job. The defensive side is pretty set except for defensive backs. Paul Williams, the Miami assistant that Cubit hired, is mentioned according to Loren Tate.

Just got our offensive coordinator. He may have input into running backs and tight ends.

Special teams also needed.
 
#831      

WesterveltVictoryCigar

WesterveltVictoryCigar
WesterveltVictoryCigar
ivwilsoniv said:
I kind of assumed the staff would already be in place by now. Does it typically take this long? Or is it because we're halfway through March when Lovie's trying to fill a staff? Either way, this probably affects Spring Ball schedule even more.
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Depends on the circumstances. This is not the usual time of year to be making hires, so that has an effect. And we hired an NFL guy vs a college coach who might bring some of his current staff along with him. So not surprising that it might take a while longer to complete this.
 
#832      

Bomb Squad 217

B
Bomb Squad 217
combes said:
It's been less than a week since Lovie got the job. The defensive side is pretty set except for defensive backs. Paul Williams, the Miami assistant that Cubit hired, is mentioned according to Loren Tate.

Just got our offensive coordinator. He may have input into running backs and tight ends.

Special teams also needed.
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I remember everyone saying Paul Williams was an amazing get for Cubit. I know nothing about him/his work so on the outside it seems like he may a good one to keep. Didnt we immediately get a couple recruits as soon as he came on board too?
 
#833      

Smacko

S
Lexington, KY
Smacko
Second and Chalmers said:
It typically takes longer than this. But we're under something of a time crunch here.
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I think part of it is that Lovie probably wanted to give his coordinators some say in position coaches on their side of the ball. Now that both coordinator positions are filled, you would think they should be able to start filling those last spots.
 
#834      

Deleted member 3875

D
Guest
Deleted member 3875
Doak1960 said:
Per my sources Nate will be retained to handle administration and recruiting. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
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I would hope a positive young man like Nate that loves the Illini would have a place on this staff.
 
#836      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
RyanK said:
Paul Williams staying on to coach DBs. Still have 3 openings remaining.


https://twitter.com/JWernerScout/status/709105355142402048
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Of all the guys to stay, he would not have been one I would have guessed. No connection to anyone except Cubit, and while Miami's pass D was pretty good the last couple of years, it's not like Al Golden's staff there was held in super high regard.

But, Florida recruiting connections and someone with quality Power Five experience at the same job, so it's not like it's out of left field. He seemed like a quality get under the circumstances two months ago.
 
#837      

AutoPoster 3000

AutoPoster 3000
AutoPoster 3000
Just speculation, but it's possible Lovie recognized the optics might look bad if he hired both or even one of his sons right away. But it wouldn't exactly blow my mind if Mikel Smith is quietly brought in as the DB coach in 2017 or 2018. Which may explain Paul Williams (expendable?) being kept even though he has no prior Lovie connection.
 
#838      

Lake Camelot

L
Lake Camelot
I don't know enough about him to know to be excited. But I think with the name coaches and the fact that this is another Florida recruiter. We will be in on some exciting players. I do think we could use a Chicago guy also. But we are setting up to recruit in the biggest hotbeds for players. We may not get the top guys. But if you can get the next level of player, we should be able to succeed.
 
#839      

combes

C
combes
Butkus counts as a Chicago guy, right?

Williams is well respected and a good recruiter. I don't think Lovie would be worried about what anyone thinks about him hiring his son if that's what he wanted to do.

I think Williams is a very good hire.
 
#841      

Attack and Defend

A
Attack and Defend
There was no mention of Williams being considered for a position that I recall. Not to take away from Williams, but I wonder if Lovie is having some difficulty completing his staff?
 
#843      

RyanK

RyanK
RyanK
Attack and Defend said:
There was no mention of Williams being considered for a position that I recall. Not to take away from Williams, but I wonder if Lovie is having some difficulty completing his staff?
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Yes he has. N-G discussed the possibility a couple days ago and it has been discussed here.
 
#844      

Lake Camelot

L
Lake Camelot
GForce said:
Right. And didn't our HC live in the city for the better part of a decade?
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Yes on Butkus. But I am talking having ties to High School coaches. I don't think Lovie has that. Sure he is known, and can get the recruits. But I am talking someone who knows the coaches in that area.
 
#845      

combes

C
combes
Attack and Defend said:
There was no mention of Williams being considered for a position that I recall. Not to take away from Williams, but I wonder if Lovie is having some difficulty completing his staff?
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Williams was mentioned as one of the few possibly being retained last Thursday. I don't think he had any trouble filling it since he obviously could have gone with his son.

Williams was considered one of the big gets by Cubit. Good recruiter from a big recruiting state.
 
#846      

GForce

GForce
GForce
Lake Camelot said:
Yes on Butkus. But I am talking having ties to High School coaches. I don't think Lovie has that. Sure he is known, and can get the recruits. But I am talking someone who knows the coaches in that area.
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Well, after 8 years in Chicago, I'm sure he got to know some of the coaches there, besides his son playing at Lake Forest HS probably made him familiar with fb landscape. But does it really matter? There's not a coach in the city who's going to answer the phone, "Lovie who?"
 
#847      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
Attack and Defend said:
Not to take away from Williams, but I wonder if Lovie is having some difficulty completing his staff?
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Could be. We'll have to wait until it all shakes out and we learn the salaries before really judging. If we have paid $4 million for what seems to clearly be less than $4 million worth of coaching talent (or if we don't spend close to the budget), that will be how we know.
 
#848      

combes

C
combes
Just because he has 4 million doesn't mean he will need it all to get a top staff. Imo
 
#849      

CUWPC

C
Geneva, IL
CUWPC
With only the position coaching spots left I bet he's running into issues with NFL guys who won't be released because the move would be considered a lateral move. May need to find lower level coaches or people who are out of a job right now.
 
#850      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
CUWPC said:
With only the position coaching spots left I bet he's running into issues with NFL guys who won't be released because the move would be considered a lateral move. May need to find lower level coaches or people who are out of a job right now.
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The NFL can't block its coaches from taking college jobs. Or, more accurately, the NFL can only prevent their own teams from hiring coaches in contravention of the NFL's rules. The NFL's rules don't apply to Illinois.