Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach

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TheDrinkinLincoln

TheDrinkinLincoln
TheDrinkinLincoln
GameOfThrows said:
This is a great hire. We just need to be patient while Coach Smith rebuilds the roster. In the meantime, at least there is enough quality to be competitive for the next couple of seasons. Back to back bowl games over the next two seasons is a lofty, but achievable goal. And would go a long way to help build a solid foundation for the program moving forward.
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Completely agree, I would be happy if we ended up bowl eligible this year and had a season where we showed definite improvement and maybe got an extra win and won a low level bowl game. Year three though I want us to be in contention in the West
 
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Deleted member 10676

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Deleted member 10676
GameOfThrows said:
To put this hire in perspective. How many college head coaches have taken an NFL team to the Super Bowl?

2. (that I can think of) We got one of them. Michigan got the other and Harbaugh's a former Michigan QB!
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Just in case the question ever comes up in a bar as trivia, I think there have been 3, Forrest Gregg being the 3rd. (Bengals XVI; SMU)
 
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Love My Alma Mater

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Love My Alma Mater
Brian Urlacher just on ESPN Chicago. As with others had great things to say about Lovie. Said he would absolutely call a recruit if asked, and allowed, on behalf of smith. Definitely can't hurt to have another big name in your corner.

And gave a definite no to coaching for those wondering :D
 
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Bomb Squad 217

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Bomb Squad 217
Love My Alma Mater said:
Brian Urlacher just on ESPN Chicago. As with others had great things to say about Lovie. Said he would absolutely call a recruit if asked, and allowed, on behalf of smith. Definitely can't hurt to have another big name in your corner.

And gave a definite no to coaching for those wondering :D
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Would be pretty sweet to get Urlacher in the ears of top linebacker recruits! If allowed of course ;) We could be witnessing the start of something special here.
 
#1,406      

illininks

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Shawnee, KS
illininks
redwingillini11 said:
Unfortunately Lovie has already lulled me into a bit of a boredom with his interviews... Hahah gah I'm sorry he just isn't very high energy. It's ok though. It will be really exciting to hear how the rest of the staff will fill out and to see them start spring practice. Don't get me started about when football season comes around. But I think I have had my fill of watching his interviews. I love the (mostly) hype on the radio programs though! It is so awesome to start this glorious new era of Illinois football! Thank you Josh!
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Beckman was super high-energy. Your preference?

I think he's calm, collected, confident and very professional. I will take Lovie in a heartbeat over a high energy inept Beckman.
 
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EJ33

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San Francisco
EJ33
Nice article from the UW paper:

Column: Lovie Smith hire helps bring coaching balance to Big Ten

The coaching pendulum still hovers over the powerful Big Ten East (Harbaugh is grinding his teeth right now), but Smith helps sway that paradigm by a considerable measure. No coach in the conference boasts the same level of pro-level experience Smith possesses, and it would be a mistake to think that won’t come into play within the next few years.
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It’s always a shame to see Big Ten teams struggle, and while the Illini may soon cause problems for Wisconsin and the rest of the West, everyone benefits from a program in need bringing in a new air of change.
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I have no expectation that we'll be competing with the powers in the East anytime soon. I fully expect Lovie and his staff to bring in recruits that are at least equal to all our foes in the West, and eventually better. It would be incredibly sweet if Lovie could return Wisconsin and Northwestern to their rightful place below us. That's where they were for most of my lifetime.
 
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freebird6

freebird6
freebird6
Pretty good interview with Lovie on Dakich show. Should be able to get podcast up on 1070thefan.com in a few. Talked about recruiting, BIG, Style of play, Schemes etc. Decent interview and pertinent questions.
 
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BZuppke

BZuppke
Plainfield
BZuppke
Two lighted billboards on I 55 towards Chicago welcoming Lovie to Illinois. JFW's work?
 
#1,422      

CoalCity

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St Paul, MN
CoalCity
TheBucket said:
[From the Bill Cubit 2-year deal thread]

Is there any chance that Whitman re-evaluates the Cubit situation and makes a change in advance of this upcoming season?

I assume Cubit will get his shot this year - but wouldn't hate swift action from our new AD.
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I bet you're pretty happy now! Just like the rest of us!

:D:chief:
 
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#1,423      

Second and Chalmers

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Second and Chalmers
I don't think there's any question that if Lovie (or perhaps one or two other big names with whom Whitman has a personal connection - not sure who that might be) said no, that we'd be going forward this year with Cubit.
 
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mattcoldagelli

mattcoldagelli
The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
mattcoldagelli
Second and Chalmers said:
I don't think there's any question that if Lovie (or perhaps one or two other big names with whom Whitman has a personal connection - not sure who that might be) said no, that we'd be going forward this year with Cubit.
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The night is dark and full of terrors.
 
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