Lovie Smith press conference

#1      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
Lovie Smith season wrap-up press conference

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#2      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
Lovie: Been hitting the recruiting trail ever since the season ended.

Lovie: Three wins are not enough. Plan was to win more.

Lovie: You come into a new situation and you have to see where you are. Getting two Big Ten wins is a start.

Lovie: Spring Ball this year will be earlier. In February.

Lovie: We had some players step up who we didn't know a lot about when we got here. Kendrick Foster was most off. consistent player

Lovie: Can't wait to get Chayce Crouch back. Toughness, throwing, running.

Lovie: Defensive line was the engine of our defense. Tough to lose them. Time for others to step up.

Lovie: Some of the young players who got playing time this year? It's their time now.

Lovie: Josh Whitman's #WeWillWin motto is still here.

Lovie: Lot harder to defend a two-dimensional quarterback (just received a commitment from Dwayne Thomas, who can run and pass)

Lovie: Immediate priority is recruiting. We have to also do exit interviews, etc.

Lovie: Big Ten is the best conference in football, so I'm not sure how much better you can get (asked re: How strong B1G was)

Lovie: Chicago, the state of IL, but also St. Louis is important to us.

Lovie: It's no fun losing. You're miserable when you lose. You should be miserable when you lose. But fond of a lot of memories.

Lovie: Next time we play we'll have Mike Dudek. That'll be different and exciting.

Lovie: Crouch will not be ready for start of spring football.

Lovie: We haven't decided on spring game vs. spring scrimmage yet.

Lovie: Staff will be back. If a great opportunity comes along for someone, and it's a better situation for them, that makes sense.

Lovie: As a base rule, we're going to build on bringing in HS athletes, but JUCO players can help you as an add-on.

Lovie: We're a northern team, simple as that (@KevOMcCarthy). (He was asked about the weather).

Lovie: Graduate athletes (like Hardy Nickerson Jr.) can be added on too.

Lovie: My first year I've had to adjust to how the recruiting process starts. We're working on class of 2017, 2018 and 2019 a bit

Lovie: In order for us to make this climb, we need to recruit this state well.

Lovie: Football team will be watching the basketball game against Central Michigan. I love basketball as much as I love football

Lovie: Shrine games are VERY important from an NFL perspective (some Illini, including Wes Lunt, Carroll Phillips, going)

Lovie: I believe in the eight-team playoff system.

https://twitter.com/pbaileywells
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#4      

FeelYourPaign

FeelYourPaign
So Cal
FeelYourPaign
Interesting to me that he plugs an eight game playoff. I happen to differ, which means spit, I know that.

The man carries himself so well. Its actually a proud moment when Lovie steps to the mic. As a pro coach, I didn't like his lack of passion. But for some reason, in this role, where the team seems to need a steady hand and a vision, I love it. Isn't life odd?
 
#6      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
FeelYourPaign said:
Interesting to me that he plugs an eight game playoff. I happen to differ, which means spit, I know that.

The man carries himself so well. Its actually a proud moment when Lovie steps to the mic. As a pro coach, I didn't like his lack of passion. But for some reason, in this role, where the team seems to need a steady hand and a vision, I love it. Isn't life odd?
Click to expand...

I'm very confident in the program going forward when I hear Lovie speak. He is so respected in the pro ranks and media. He talks about long term strategy and provides clarity regarding the present and future. I see steady improvements, for those that like journeys this is one. Be patient, I think this will be an upgraded recruiting class compared to the last 5 years but will likely not be a homerun. I'm like that he is received so well by parents and high schools, he is considered highly for many reasons. One big is he took the Bears to the super bowl.
 
#7      

Deon1987

D
Deon1987
He had the little smirk as if he's thinkin about this big weekend to close on these offers!!
 
#8      

hermie1985

H
hermie1985
I loved his explanation for early spring ball. The longer time to heal up makes a ton of sense. Especially if they want to teach these guys to hit.