So ...is Sherman in or out?
Out. Looks like McGee was the choice.
So ...is Sherman in or out?
Okay so I've been following this like all of you guys--literally CANT GET ENOUGH. Everyone around me that is Illini fans seem positive about the hire but no one is remotely as excited as we are on here. Is it possible that we are maybe overreacting? I mean getting our two coordinators is just huge but no one seems excited to the levels we are.
Okay so I've been following this like all of you guys--literally CANT GET ENOUGH. Everyone around me that is Illini fans seem positive about the hire but no one is remotely as excited as we are on here. Is it possible that we are maybe overreacting? I mean getting our two coordinators is just huge but no one seems excited to the levels we are.
There are definitely some unrealistic expectations going on, but I think the bigger factor is that the people here are the people that really cared about the program pre-Whitman and pre-Lovie. I think a lot of people just tuned out over the last couple of years so it was easy to ignore, but the bleakness got to truly historic levels there for awhile.
I don't feel like I'm flying from 0 to 100. It's more that I'm flying from -80 to 20.
Has anyone cruised the other Big10 message boards? What is the general impression of us getting Lovie, etc.?
That's not true. My boss, who is a Michigan alum, is excited for Illinois. He says a good Illinois is good for the conference.
Has anyone cruised the other Big10 message boards? What is the general impression of us getting Lovie, etc.?
Note: After looking at OSU, UM, and Iowa, it look like Iowa is talking about it the most.
Rumor Holecek has been offered LB position. He knows all the coaches in Illinois and the players would love him. We need to keep some young bloods on the staff.
If this is true it would be an amazing hire. Would clean up in the suburbs, and he's a great football coach. I bet he could get a nice paycheck here with what's left in our budget. Not holding my breath, he seems happy at Loyola, but fingers are definitely crossed.
Has anyone cruised the other Big10 message boards? What is the general impression of us getting Lovie, etc.?
Note: After looking at OSU, UM, and Iowa, it look like Iowa is talking about it the most.
There was a 500+ response thread on the Lovie hire on reddit. I was pleasantly surprised at all the excitement from Michigan, Mich St, tOSU, etc fans.... looking forward to playing a competitive Illinois team.
If this is true it would be an amazing hire. Would clean up in the suburbs, and he's a great football coach. I bet he could get a nice paycheck here with what's left in our budget. Not holding my breath, he seems happy at Loyola, but fingers are definitely crossed.
He may be happy, but he could be happier coaching under Lovie while making 200-250K.
FWIW, he was offered to coach LB's under Cubit and he declined.
OSU and UM both have more desirable coaches. Iowa should be a bit more concerned as Lovie is probably on the level of KF.
I thought I read in the past he's been concerned with the stability of the coaching staff at Illinois. 6 years of Lovie plus a great support staff should at least get him to think about it.
He may be happy, but he could be happier coaching under Lovie while making 200-250K.
FWIW, he was offered to coach LB's under Cubit and he declined.
The problem the West has, looks like this:
Christ
Ferentz
Riley
Claeys
Harrell
Fitzgerald
versus Lovie
He is easily the biggest and most recognizable amongst the group. Lovie has instant credibility with parents and recruits. He walks in and he is the star, not the other way around. If Lovie is just an above average coach here we will dominate the West. Some of the above are great coaches but none exactly blow you away as recruiters.
Recruiting pitch is simple, come to Illinois, play for Lovie and meet Michigan or OSU every year for Big 10 Title
We'll see about that. That's a bit of a stretch. The only thing we can be sure of is we're lucky we are not in the Big Ten East.The problem the West has, looks like this:
Christ
Ferentz
Riley
Claeys
Harrell
Fitzgerald
versus Lovie
He is easily the biggest and most recognizable amongst the group. Lovie has instant credibility with parents and recruits. He walks in and he is the star, not the other way around. If Lovie is just an above average coach here we will dominate the West. Some of the above are great coaches but none exactly blow you away as recruiters.
Recruiting pitch is simple, come to Illinois, play for Lovie and meet Michigan or OSU every year for Big 10 Title
Heck I think he could get 300-400K.
OSU and UM both have more desirable coaches. Iowa should be a bit more concerned as Lovie is probably on the level of KF.
The problem the West has, looks like this:
Christ
Ferentz
Riley
Claeys
Harrell
Fitzgerald
versus Lovie
He is easily the biggest and most recognizable amongst the group. Lovie has instant credibility with parents and recruits. He walks in and he is the star, not the other way around. If Lovie is just an above average coach here we will dominate the West. Some of the above are great coaches but none exactly blow you away as recruiters.
Recruiting pitch is simple, come to Illinois, play for Lovie and meet Michigan or OSU every year for Big 10 Title
I'm not so sure the comparison to Harbaugh and Meyer is as absolute as you make it sound. They both are at more storied programs which clearly gives them a head start. I expect Lovie to land some studs and compete 3 or 4 years from now. Maybe sooner.