Lovie Smith to Illinois - It's official

#1
illvol

illvol

Eternal optimist
Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
1,373
Likes
2,972
#1
Hearing rumors here in the Midwest. Does that mean his plane is no longer circling?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#5
#5
Weird how timing works. Multiple times we come asking of his interest and he likes the NFL life. Once tje NFL isnt a head man option for him a bottom feeder with fertile recruiting ground may land him. I hope it happens as will make it harder for Harbaughsterd and Meyer to get the Chicago athletes.
 
#7
#7
I've got a brother living up there. Illinois would be lucky to get him as their coach.

Edit: is
 
#8
#8
Illinois would hit the jackpot if they could land Lovie The recruiting, game attendance and the entire perception of the program will shoot sky high.
 
#10
#10
Great hire for that program. He'll be very successful there. That division is so weak compared to the East. He could have them competing for a conf title in a year or two.
 
#11
#11
If Lovie could make Illinois a competitive program, it would be huge for the big 10. Too many inconsistent or doormat football programs in that conference, and Illinois is one of the worst. Lovie could make a big impact there, but it won't be easy. I hope he does well there.
 
#12
#12
Would be a nice hire and strong statement by Whitman.

It's been what twenty years since Lovie coached at this level?
 
#13
#13
It's now official. Good hire for that program. I think a lot can be accomplished at a school like Illinois.
 
#18
#18
6 year, $21M contract. Back end loaded, only $2M per year in years 1 and 2. Wonder if that is because he is still getting paid by Tampa and his deal with Tampa includes a clause that money from a new job offsets his buyout? If so smart move by Lovie and IL.

2016 - $2M
2017 - $2M
2018 - $3M
2019 - $4M
2020 - $5M
2021 - $5M

Years 1-3 = $7M
Years 4-6 = $14M
 
#20
#20
The timing is lousy. But this has huge potential for long-term rewards, and Illinois wasn't going to be good in the short-term anyway.

This is a massive hire for an AD who was working in Division III a week ago. Well done.
 
#22
#22
Good luck to him. I think Lovie is a good guy. However, I still think Illinois is a crappy job. 5 winning seasons since 1995 while mostly playing against weak competition? Not good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#23
#23
Awesome now lock down recruiting. (Well except the ones Tennessee wants) Lovie keep Harbaugh and Meyer out of Illinoi high schools. They belong to you now.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top