Illinois Hires Former Chicago Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

In an attempt to bring some light, other than that which constantly reflects off Groce's shiny dome, to an otherwise dark and gloomy athletic department, the University of Illinois has hired Lovie Smith as Head Coach.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-lovie-smith-illinois-football-20160307-story.html

[mdn82 25,510]

Great pickup for name recognition for them.

[Bittersince87 209]

The big ten is flooded with good coaches. Good to see and if iu makes upward progress it will definitely be earned.

[Hovadipo 54,676]

This is a good hire. Illinois also still sucks.

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

This hire should help them win enough games to get to the post-season in the next few years, but then they'll need to replace Lovie if they actually want to win those bowl games.

[Striper 192]

Great pickup for name recognition for them.

As was Charlie Weiss at ND.....

[Josh 12,507]

Lovie was obviously just head coach in Tampa Bay. This morning on the local Tampa Bay news station when they were reporting this news nobody could pronounce Illini. They even made a big deal about how nobody could pronounce it as they laughed with each other.

Illinois...lol

[Defenserocks28 393]

He's getting paid quite well.  6 year, 21MM dollar contract:

http://www.thechampaignroom.com/2016/3/7/11172264/lovie-smith-illinois-football-contract-details-announcement-hire

[mdn82 25,510]

As was Charlie Weiss at ND.....

Charlie Weiss was an O Coordinator. I am a Bears fan. Lovie has done an excellent job as both a D Coordinator and coach. If you can defend and run in the B1G you are going to be solid. They will most certainly be better than Weiss at ND. Him in the Chicago area is just home and he should have no problem recruiting that area.

[Whoozhers 3,645]

Love Lovie! Congratulations ILL..... Great hire!!

[Striper 192]

Charlie Weiss was an O Coordinator. I am a Bears fan. Lovie has done an excellent job as both a D Coordinator and coach. If you can defend and run in the B1G you are going to be solid. They will most certainly be better than Weiss at ND. Him in the Chicago area is just home and he should have no problem recruiting that area.

Personally, I predict a similar fate to Weiss.  Weiss came in with more fanfare as a football wizard.  When I lived in Chicago, I don't remember a lot of people distraught when the Bears got rid of him.  He has no college experience, and has had more than one pro team push him out.  Maybe he becomes the next Pete Carroll, but I am betting not.

[Alford Bailey 12,338]

Interesting hire to say the least.

[tyappleg 2,940]

Good hire in my opinion.

He should never have been fired from Tampa. That was a joke. They fired him because they didn't want to lose their coordinator to another team. There's a reason Tampa has only had one good year since 2002 (the year after they fired a Hall of Fame coach in Dungy. )

[323SGrant 1,176]

Da Bears!