Everyone is piling on, including a few hs coaches, about LS lack of effort in recruiting in the state of Illinois. It would be interesting to hear Lovie's side of the story. Total lack of effort or high school coaches not liking him or giving him a chance. But I'm guessing we'll never hear from him.
Lovie Smith out at Illinois
I brought up the lack of recruiting effort several times on this site throughout the years. Most were comfortable just blaming the high school coaches. Way too many mistakes LS when it came to recruiting.
I'm not against a head coach hiring a son as an assistant...but that son had better be head and shoulders better than any qualified candidate that's available. Their are lots of coaches with sons as assistants....coaches kids often are winners. Is Miles Smith a poor coach? No idea. If he was a great coach then it was a good hire. If not....it will backfire and maybe get you fired.
High school coaches are a problem as well imo. Sunket being angry about us taking Childress over Powell when every other big 10 program pulled Powell’s offer as well was ridiculous. Not to mention James knight. Sunket always loves to forget about that one whenever he gets done crying on Twitter. LS didn’t try instate after 2017 and I don’t blame the coaches one bit for being upset. But Sunket is the last guy I was hear cry about instate recruiting.
That is where you are misinformed. His issue was Tyler Macon. He specifically called Cory out because he know him and has a relationship with him. His issue was don’t lie to his kids! That is the only reason he specifically tweeted about that. Keep in mind Childress and Powell are two different classes. Either you want to know or you just want to have a reason to dislike Sunkett which you have that right.
Being close to the situation there is way more to it. Like I stated before, it’s a reason why only the Trinity kids went to Illinois. It’s also a reason why Cooper and Washington didn’t come. This is my last post about that because there is no reason to keep discussing it. We agree to disagree.
That’s fine. But James knight is the perfect example of giving into Sunket and getting nothing in return. Guy loves to forget about him.
Again, facts are very important. James Knight was set to go to a Mac school before McGee offered him. McGee was told don’t offer unless you plan to take him because he is not close to Jeff like that. James was happy to go to his Mac school until McGee offered. No one asked for James to be offered and ESL staff wasn’t a fan of him going to Illinois. he really wouldn’t touch the field. The entire staff what shocked when he got playing time as a Freshman. This is why no one mentions Mr Knight.
What is mentioned however, is the lying to Estes about playing QB and getting him to transfer from Minni to get Jeff!
Estes was No 1 on the depth chart at CB for Minni before the dream of him playing QB resurfaced at Illinois. All to get Jeff. Estes had to go to Juco in Cali to get re-establish.
Like I typed earlier, there was a lot more to his tweet to Cory. He mentored Cory and asked that he look out for his guys. The Estes thing happened under Cory while being told not to do it. Unless you know the relationship it’s hard to have an opinion. Noticed he never tagged Lovie in his tweet to Cory.
You also have no idea how hard he pushed for AJ to go to Illinois and not Texas A&M. It somewhat became an issue with the family. They felt he was saying that he couldn’t play at A&M and took it personal. It is what it is! Just know the facts first before passing judgment!
Is there any reason this grudge would carry over to the new staff?
No reason at all. I believe some tweets have been made referencing a new start by a couple of the ESL staff already.
I know made a tweet about BB not being a good choice however, that was solely based on BB telling Hawthorne that he wasn't good enough to play for Wisc back in the day. He was a parade all American and We all know the career he had at Illinois. Listening to the press conference it seems BB attitude has changed. Time will tell. East St Louis has about 15 to 20 Power 5 kids over the next 4 years. I am sure Illinois will get the first look like in the past. The future staff need to play immediate catch with Miles McVay. He is the 6'6 350 class of 23 Lineman that has a Georgia and Ole Miss offer already.
He was out getting the "Vote", to busy to work
Deleted member 747840
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Considering who he is and how he treated this year, I think we might have heard the last of Lovie Smith. Doubt he coaches again (he doesn't need to) and he's never been a talker. Maybe a written thank you to the Illini, but I would be surprised even at that. Also, seems like he would've done so already if he was planning on it.
Whether you love him or hate him, Lovie did deal with a ton of injuries late last season and this year, along with covid issues. Going back to the last 3 games last season, I think that had a lot to do with losing 9 of the last 11 games this team played. The list of players out with injury/covid during this time was astronomical. But, it is what it is and I'm glad to see we were able to land a coach like BB, which is about the best you could wish for for a program like ours.
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I came to the conclusion myself that a portion of those injuries have come at the hands of Lovie not having physical practices. Not sure if that is scientific or not. But I do know we get pushed around and beat up against just about everybody. Sure looks like our opponents have adapted to this game called football
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Just in case some were interested, I looked up the twitter
(2) Coach Sunk on Twitter: "Let’s Go!!!" / Twitter
(3) Coach Sunk on Twitter: "@illinination14 @IllinoisLoyalty @BobZuppke @IlliniFootball We @Football_Flyers would love to see Illinois become a Big 10 power. We welcome our new coach to recruit our current power 5 kids!!! https://t.co/mHwVq7BTg6" / Twitter
This is what I came up with. Didn't see anything from Terry but he did retweet Coach Sunk's 2nd tweet listed
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(2) Koach Hawthorne on Twitter: "@BretBielema
https://t.co/hBjqpYFs61" / TwitterDid not see this one. This is Terry replying directly to Coach Bielema.
I would say it is safe to say that ESL coaching staff, on the surface (I dont personally know them like @Title so I will not assume), is in support of Bielema. Which is better than the alternative
illini80
- Forgottonia
I feel like this story needs to get out a little more. There have been vague references by several that most probably don’t understand. I only know a very bare minimum.
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ProfessorQC
Ace Wolf
- UofI
There were rumors in Lovie's first or second season that he didn't anticipate how hard the job would be and he wanted to quit, I wonder if those rumors were true. What a waste of 5 years if it was.
I need someone to white board this. "Getting the Vote." Does this mean Lovie was busy with political campaigns instead of coaching? Need some context, please.
I don't remember Lovie making much of a statement (if any) when he was fired at Chicago and at Tampa Bay. I doubt we will hear from him.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Consider the source, but went to a few Northwestern tailgates (they are nearby) and they seemed to have the scoop on Lovie not being happy after a couple of seasons.
illini80
- Forgottonia
On one hand, yes I agree it was a waste. On the other hand if it lead to stars aligning for this hire and BB can put this program back on track, I’m ok with it. It will be a while before we know the answer to that, but I certainly feel good about the first steps taken.
Came across this. Thought is was an appropriate end to the Lovie era.
I will tell you what you wont see and thats the coaches standing around emotionless. These guys will be fired up throughout the game. I hated that Lovie would just stand like a statue when we messed up or made a play. You could see that he was not into this. But this group will high 5 and chew some !!! if needed. Love it