It was something of a power struggle between Lovie Smith and Ron Rivera and Lovie forced Rivera out. That might have been the beginning of Lovie's end in Chicago. If Lovie hires an offensive or defensive guru for coordinators, hopefully he lets them do their thing.
Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach
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It was something of a power struggle between Lovie Smith and Ron Rivera and Lovie forced Rivera out. That might have been the beginning of Lovie's end in Chicago. If Lovie hires an offensive or defensive guru for coordinators, hopefully he lets them do their thing.
I think it's the former, i.e. imagining Lovie spending the time to go chat up the hundreds of HS coaches in the Chicago area, etc. So he's going to need to line up some good assistants to help out there.
:congrats:
Very well said!
Thank you Coach Cubit for helping us get through some difficult times!
Xfactr
- Lake Forest, IL
"one of the few that are more out of touch than Illinois"
Sometimes I feel Illinois fans are out of touch, especially basketball but you're assessment is spot on!
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I think Cubit did an admiral job, though:
#1: it sounds like he's the one who came up with the 2 year contract idea, which would have completely killed the program.
#2: he also gave his son a bit of special treatment, which may be one of the reasons he got fired.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
This. Even though I didn't like cubit as a head coach; he handled the season well, was very receptive in champaign, and he did what was asked. Thank you, Cubit. Wish you the best of luck wherever you go. Or just enjoy retirement!
I'm excited with the direction but unsure of what Lovie can do. His hiring definitely brings interest back into the program but what can he do will be the big question. Here are some things to ponder.
1. An excellent personnel coach. Great at motivating his players in a no nonsense manner. Players were very loyal to him.
2. Excellent defensive coach, however was not very innovative. Lived and died under the Tampa 2 defensive scheme.
3. Not very good in finding the right assistants. Remember these names? Rivera, Babich, Martz, Tice. However Marinelli was a great assistant.
4. Recruiting???????
5. Remember Charlie Weis? A great offensive coordinator but lousy at the Golden Dome. Same big name hire hopefully a better outcome.
I'm just hoping that they hire some past Illini (Holocek) that can do the aspects of coaching Lovie didn't do so well in Chicago.
Go Illini
Rivera, Toub, Marinelli, Koetter, and Frazier were all good hires under Lovie with Chicago/Tampa.
Charlie Weis was a coordinator; never a HC before Notre Dame. Big difference there.
Tampa 2 doesn't work in the NFL cause NFL qbs can read a defense. Not too many college qbs can read a defense, and go through their progressions.
I'll agree with recruiting. He needs to keep Hecklinski, maybe Bellamy, and get another strong recruiter.
I posted yesterday about how much of a leap it would be to go from Bill Cubit to Lovie Smith. Now imagine the size of the leap at OC between Ryan Cubit and Mike Sherman. This is Evel Knievel stuff. Anyone still not convinced?
Either one would be terrific, as both good offensive minds and guys with experience managing college programs.
Let's kill some time and speculate on some possible coaching hires...
OC:
Rob Boras - Went to Glendbard West (!!!), former assistant at Texas, coached TE's for Lovie's Chicago teams, current OC for LA Rams
Pep Hamilton - longtime UI fan favorite, longtime success in CFB, current QB coachof Cleveland Browns (yuck)
Mike DeBord- Midwest guy, former B10 experience, former TE coach in Chicago, current Tennessee OC
Jeff Tedford - proven success at the college level, worked with Lovie in TB
Mike Bajakian - current QB coach in TB, former college experience
DC:
Mike Phair - current IL DC, longtime ties to Lovie
Leslie Frazier - current Ravens DB coach, likely candidate, former Illinois assistant, worked with Lovie in TB
Discuss...who would you guys want? After doing some research on these guys, I like the Boras/Frazier combo. Don't think Frazier/Phair is out of the question for co-DC's.
OC:
Rob Boras - Went to Glendbard West (!!!), former assistant at Texas, coached TE's for Lovie's Chicago teams, current OC for LA Rams
Pep Hamilton - longtime UI fan favorite, longtime success in CFB, current QB coachof Cleveland Browns (yuck)
Mike DeBord- Midwest guy, former B10 experience, former TE coach in Chicago, current Tennessee OC
Jeff Tedford - proven success at the college level, worked with Lovie in TB
Mike Bajakian - current QB coach in TB, former college experience
DC:
Mike Phair - current IL DC, longtime ties to Lovie
Leslie Frazier - current Ravens DB coach, likely candidate, former Illinois assistant, worked with Lovie in TB
Discuss...who would you guys want? After doing some research on these guys, I like the Boras/Frazier combo. Don't think Frazier/Phair is out of the question for co-DC's.
South Farms
- near Ogden & Rt 83
I will crawl through the south farms in my underwear on my hands and knees
if we get either of those two to call the offensive plays next fall.......A former college head coach somewhere on the staff would be a smart idea I'd think.
Regarding Frazier and Phair as co-DC, wouldn't you expect Frazier to then also be the db coach? Isn't that job expected to go to Lovie's son?
Here is hoping he is able to land some proven college experience for the staff I like the potential OC candidates as well.
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I can't think of a better hire at this time. Look at the publicity we are getting, not just in the Champaign area, not just Chicagoland, but across the country. This is huge. A complete turnaround in image for our program with one hiring. However Lovie does at Illinois, win or lose, this is still what we needed to change the perception of the Illinois program.
I personally think Lovie will do well here. I would have to think that Lovie will have a big influence on the recruit's parents. His players have always supported him and praised him, so parents certainly will see him as a coach that will be a positive influence on their kids. In terms of style of play, I would think we will probably be similar to Michigan State, having a strong defense and a ball control offense featuring a strong running game.
One last comment.....JFW!!!
I personally think Lovie will do well here. I would have to think that Lovie will have a big influence on the recruit's parents. His players have always supported him and praised him, so parents certainly will see him as a coach that will be a positive influence on their kids. In terms of style of play, I would think we will probably be similar to Michigan State, having a strong defense and a ball control offense featuring a strong running game.
One last comment.....JFW!!!
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I don't get the rip on Lovie with the Tampa 2. He had one of the top defenses in the NFL the whole time he was in Chicago. Good defenses with the Rams also.
Just guessing, but if Frazier was to come on, he could still help out with the DB's without the official title.
As a Dolphins fan I'm a little hesitant in Sherman. Left a lot to be desired with his play calling. Didn't always play to his offenses strengths and there wasn't a lot of development. Maybe that's different at the college level but I do have reservations.
icengineer
- Southern Illinois
Hmmm, why is he even coaching HS in MA?
Plane touches down in 5 mins. Do we have any sleuths in place?
An article I read said Sherman was tired of bouncing around. His family chose to settle in that community. He asked to use their field to conduct camps. They offered him the open job. It took him 6 months to accept. Making $6,000 a year.
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