Lovie Smith to Illinois - It's official

[508mikey]

I wonder if they get a big name basketball coach next - they have missed the NCAAT 3 years in a row now and its not sitting well with alot of fans - especially since the state is loaded with big time players. Sure he gave Groce a vote of confidence but you know how those go

 

[give_him 6]

Lovie was done wrong in Tampa. Dirk was not a good head coach outside of Boise State, but which Boise State coach has succeeded once they leave the blue turf?

 

[LouderVol]

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

also makes him more expensive to buy out as the years go by and he proves himself. probably wont be too good his first two years anyway, so Illinois is paying at the right level. as he gets stuff figured out, and other schools start looking at him, he is now a bigger buy. seems like a good deal for all

 

[illinoisvolfan1]

I always have liked Lovie and especially when he was coach of the Bears. Lost to Peyton in the Super Bowl. I hope he can recruit well enough to compete with and eventually beat the two primary douche bags in the Big 10.

 

[SolidRockGolf]

I hope he wrecks Harbaugh and Meyers plans! I'll be pulling for him/them all season. It'll be a team to watch for the next 4 years.

 

[Otis07]

1300 season tickets sold since Monday....said the local tv guy