Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach

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#1,129      

PaytonHighstep

Downers Grove, IL
I'm really struggling to follow the logic of this other popular contrarian "hot take" today that Whitman did something unethical by courting Lovie and getting a handshake agreement before firing Cubit. The whole point of the two-year deal, which was openly acknowledged at the time it was announced, was that it specifically structured to provide an option for the new AD, whoever that was, to reverse course and bring in someone else at any time. If Cubit did not want this outcome, he needed to hold out for a longer contract with a bigger buyout or not take the job. Whitman could not have fired first and searched second. For one thing, the riskiness of that approach would have been immense; we could have gotten hung out to dry on an epic scale. And second, we'd have no leverage in negotiations even if Lovie or someone else was interested in the job. It was either do it this way or retain Cubit. There was no third option.

So, are these critics of ours really suggesting that the "right" thing to do would be to pass on Lovie, sit on Cubit until the end of the 2016 season, and then take our chances with whoever we could land on the open market during silly season ten months from, all because it would be considered kind of jerky for some people for us to exercise a clause that was part of the deal from day one and gives us an opportunity to massively revitalize the program which we may never see again? I love the hypocrisy of all this. Like these sports pundits judge teams and athletes and sports executives by how nice and considerate they are, and not on sheer results. Like these same guys' hot takes next November after we went 4-8 wouldn't be to critique that "amateur" Whitman for letting it happen.

Pathetic.

The critics haven't said directly what they thought Whitman should have done. That's the issue for me. I asked Kaplan what he thought should have happened, no response from him. He did tweet me back on a couple other comments, but not directly answered that question.
 
#1,130      

CoalCity

St Paul, MN
Just because it's water under the bridge now doesn't mean the Cubs didn't stab Renteria in the back.

However, Theo's responsibility to the Cubs organization outweighed his responsibility to Rick Renteria. Whitman's responsibility to the program as a whole outweighs his responsibility to Bill Cubit.

Exactly.
 
#1,133      
I mentioned this earlier in this thread, that it was just a nearly two months ago, I was chatting with other posters about suggesting that Lovie Smith, should come coach the college game and leave the non-sense that comes with coaching in the NFL. At that time, I thought it would be a pipe dream for him to coach the college game, let alone the Illini. Pipe dream no more. This has become a reality and boy does it feels great!!! :D
I was one of the posters who felt very negative about that hire at the time for any number of reasons. I'm willing to admit I was wrong. There are a lot of positives to Lovie as the HC. He's a good man. The players should love playing for him and accept his guidance.
 
#1,135      
The whole point of the two-year deal, which was openly acknowledged at the time it was announced, was that it specifically structured to provide an option for the new AD, whoever that was, to reverse course and bring in someone else at any time.

I don't recall anyone saying that. Some people wishfully inferred that, but if you think there was any coherent rationale offered for the two-year extension, I humbly disagree.

So, are these critics of ours really suggesting that the "right" thing to do would be to pass on Lovie, sit on Cubit until the end of the 2016 season, and then take our chances with whoever we could land on the open market during silly season ten months from

At the very least, informing Cubit of this behind-the-scenes recruitment would have been the "honorable" thing to do. It also might very well have imperiled the whole thing.

Keeping an ear to the ground regarding the coaching market is part of an AD's job, whether you've got Tim Beckman or Nick Saban as your head coach. Once Whitman knew Lovie was interested, he would have been derelict in his duties to not pursue that.
 
#1,137      

CoalCity

St Paul, MN
I'm really struggling to follow the logic of this other popular contrarian "hot take" today that Whitman did something unethical by courting Lovie and getting a handshake agreement before firing Cubit. The whole point of the two-year deal, which was openly acknowledged at the time it was announced, was that it specifically structured to provide an option for the new AD, whoever that was, to reverse course and bring in someone else at any time. If Cubit did not want this outcome, he needed to hold out for a longer contract with a bigger buyout or not take the job. Whitman could not have fired first and searched second. For one thing, the riskiness of that approach would have been immense; we could have gotten hung out to dry on an epic scale. And second, we'd have no leverage in negotiations even if Lovie or someone else was interested in the job. It was either do it this way or retain Cubit. There was no third option.

So, are these critics of ours really suggesting that the "right" thing to do would be to pass on Lovie, sit on Cubit until the end of the 2016 season, and then take our chances with whoever we could land on the open market during silly season ten months from, all because it would be considered kind of jerky for some people for us to exercise a clause that was part of the deal from day one and gives us an opportunity to massively revitalize the program which we may never see again? I love the hypocrisy of all this. Like these sports pundits judge teams and athletes and sports executives by how nice and considerate they are, and not on sheer results. Like these same guys' hot takes next November after we went 4-8 wouldn't be to critique that "amateur" Whitman for letting it happen.

Pathetic.

Great post! Yeah some people got their feelings hurt but they also got pretty well compensated for it. Hopefully the new hire assistants will get a good severance or a shot at a position with the new regime.

Home run, instant credibility.
 
#1,141      

redwingillini11

White and Sixth
North Aurora
I mentioned this earlier in this thread, that it was just a nearly two months ago, I was chatting with other posters about suggesting that Lovie Smith, should come coach the college game and leave the non-sense that comes with coaching in the NFL. At that time, I thought it would be a pipe dream for him to coach the college game, let alone the Illini. Pipe dream no more. This has become a reality and boy does it feels great!!! :D

Last week, I was literally, honestly thinking what would happen if we brought in Lovie Smith. It's very cool to see a dream like this come true.
 
#1,142      

Chambana13

Charleston, IL
everyone says that whitman was shady and went about this the wrong way...its the same concept as sending guys down/cutting/trading players in the MLB. Some make more money then Cubit and have wives and families aswell, are forced to find homes and places to live again...
 
#1,145      
Tupper said that Lovie was on that plane we were seeing yesterday. Lovie stayed on and taxi'd to the terminal. Lol
 
#1,147      
Sounds like we should remember to thank Ron Turner for his contributions to this hire.

Never was that high on RT as a coach, but sure sounds like he stepped up big time to help JW put this deal together...and if not for his connections and advice, it may never have happened. For that he should forever be remembered positively by Illini fans. Thanks for the assist, RT!!
 
#1,150      
Sounds like we should remember to thank Ron Turner for his contributions to this hire.

Never was that high on RT as a coach, but sure sounds like he stepped up big time to help JW put this deal together...and if not for his connections and advice, it may never have happened. For that he should forever be remembered positively by Illini fans. Thanks for the assist, RT!!

And I can't believe I'm saying this, but credit needs to go to Ron Guenther as well. An incompetent AD, sure. But a decent man who hired another decent man as football coach, treated him with decency and in the end let him go with decency, such that everyone remains on good terms.

Ron Zook and Tim Beckman wouldn't go to bat for Illinois like that, and you'd have a tough time blaming them.
 
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