People that aren't feeling the Lovie need to look at this thing big picture. In one move we go from the lowest paid and lowest profile coach in the B1G to probably the third highest paid and third highest profile after Harbaugh and Meyer. The Chicago media that we complain always ignores us will be obsessed with Illini football whichever direction we go in the W-L column. It's also about the caliber of assistant that someone like him can bring in. And donor money. And social media mentions. And rear-ends in the seats. It's a huge game changer even if you hated Lovie as the Bears coach and think his vanilla approach will be a failure here. Worst case scenario, we go from being small-time losers to big-time losers. Considering the place where this program currently stands, that's a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth with two outs down by three.
Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach
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NEIlliniFan
- No longer in New England
I lurk far more than I post but have to say, you nailed it!
Great post. Lovie has such a big coaching tree to pick from. Just look at last years staff. Some names that jump out are Hardy Nickerson, Shelton Quarless and Leslie Frazier.
RichBradIllini
- Peoria
Bahaha! This sums it all up for me.
I agree. It should be exciting. Whether we win or lose, at least people will be back to being interested in the program. Better than not caring at all.
Deleted member 19448
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Guest
This will be the shortest coaching search thread in history!!!
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
I'll take it. Expecting anything better than Lovie is a fantasy. Get pumped to earn back our credibility.
sounds like lovie won't be the only smith on the staff...
lovie and his son(s) > cubit and his son
lovie and his son(s) > cubit and his son
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I love how people don't like this potential hire. Yesterday we were stuck with cubit on a two year deal with no hope for the future. Today we are looking at lovie who regardless of your opinion is a better coach than any we have had in the last 10 or so years. Sure he has faults and we'll have to see if he can recruit but Come on we've been dealing with Zook, Beckmann, and cubit and we are going to complain about lovie?
That might have been the cherry on top. He takes the job to make sure his kids get a job. Works for me.
If there is anyway he could get Frazier as his DC. Oh my.
From Reddit: His pitch to the Illinois kids will be simple "Hi, I'm Lovie Smith, you might remember when I coached the Bears team that played in a Super Bowl. Yes, sign here please."
I know it won't be that simple but one can dream :thumb:
Soxfreak64
- Bloomington
Whatever. My problem was never that Cubit hired his kid. It was that he promoted him to a position he is objectively unqualified for and then uses a huge chunk of his allotted assistant salary pool to set him up.
If Lovie comes, and brings his kids, whatever. Just don't use 500K promoting your 30 y/o DB coach of a son to DC please.
Agree! Go illini!
Kramer116
- Chicago
Not trying to be a jerk, but who would be better?
Take a look at the B1G coaches, where would you rank Lovie if true?
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Illinois does not get "home run" hires. Lovie is as good as we can expect (and better than I was expecting) given the current state of the program.
no insider info. the fox sports article mentions it, but it seems logical since one of his kids (Mikal) was on the Bucs staff. i would expect he'd get a spot here too. hopefully as secondary coach or something. i'd still like to see someone more experienced for the DC job
have to chime in here - awesome hire. instant credibility, potential to build a program, and sets the tone that illinois is serious about becoming a contender. How can anyone seriously knock this when 12 hours ago we were planning on "Bill Cubit 2-year contract football" for the Fall of 2016?? Very happy to see the focus is there to getting closer to competing for championships.
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