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Illinois

* AP…

University of Illinois trustees have approved a contract with football coach Lovie Smith that will pay him at least $21 million over six years.

Trustees approved initial contract terms for Smith after he was hired in March that paid him $10 million in salary over his final two years. The final contract now moves $2 million of that money to earlier years in his contract.

University spokeswoman Robin Kaler declined to say what the buyout terms are if he Smith is fired because he and others still need to sign the contract.

In addition to his salary, Smith is eligible for up to $8 million in bonuses.

* The Question: Do you think Lovie Smith will turn things around? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

polls

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:59 pm

Comments

Yes, Lovie Smith will restore all the state funding cuts to Illinois public higher ed. Because as everyone knows, education is the #1 purpose of our institutions of higher ed. And that is reflected in the fact that the highest paid person in Illinois higher ed is …. uh … Lovie Smith.
Wait, what was the question again?

Comment by Filmmaker Prof Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:03 pm
I always love asking tea party Republicans who they think is the highest paid state employee. They always mention the Governor, or some departmental honcho, or Mike Madigan, and they are shocked when I say it is the U of I football coach. Their understanding and blaming of state government completely falls apart right before my eyes.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Yes, but maybe we should define what a turn around looks like. Illinois will be respectable and compete for bowl births year after year. I don’t expect to become perennial top 10 team, but I could see eventually becoming the type of team that is somewhat consistently in the top 25 rankings or on the fringes, but it’s going to take a little time.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:04 pm
I voted no. Big 10 has improved in the last few years, and Illinois is at the bottom of the heap. Maybe he get 2-3 more wins a year, but they aren’t going to be real players in the Big 10 or nationally anytime soon.

Comment by Betsy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:06 pm
Yes… But it will all come down to improving their recruiting. He can coach the heck out of the pipeline he has, but they need significant talent upgrades to be competitive.

With his track record of complete admiration and belief in his program from (paid) professional atheltes, it think he will do fine in recruiting 17 year old amateurs.

Even if he fails on the field, he wont embarrass the university by abusing players and incoherently attacking the media like his predecessor.

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:07 pm
Wow how many students could go to school with that money or how many students does it take to pay that salary

Comment by Publius Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:07 pm
Voted “no”, The college game is a whole different ball of wax. Recruiting is the key.

Help me understand how a guy coaching a college sport is worth millions.

The U of C was right to leave major college sports in the 1930’s. They recognized the corruption of education back then.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:08 pm
I voted yes. Its been an absolutely miserable last 5-6 years in Champaign so it can only get better, right? There does seem to be a little excitement surrounding the program. We expect so little from the football team; a 8 win season would be considered a major turn-around

Comment by Red Ranger Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:08 pm
My old coach classified players as pro-prospects, competitors, and participants. I think he will do better at getting good players, but cannot take enough pro-prospects away from established programs to beat them.

(I was classified competitor.)

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:09 pm
I think Lovie Smith’s turnaround agenda has better chances than Rauner’s.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:09 pm
To the extent he’s provided a level of class, professionalism and gravitas he already has improved things. For the last decade the program has been in the conversation for most moronic head coaches with good reason. As for long term, getting 7-8 wins somewhat consistently with an occasional 9-10 will satisfy what are historically low expectations.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:13 pm
voted no. unless Lovie gets lucky and lands a star or sleeper quarterback. gotta consistently put up 30-40 points a game to win now. 52 against Murray State doesnt really count. if they put up 35-40 against North Carolina or Michigan, win or lose, I will be impressed.

Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:18 pm
Will he get a Tier 2 pension based on that salary?

Comment by Chicago Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:18 pm
College football coaches, and a few basketball coaches, are the highest paid public employees in about 40 states. Obscene. Even though much of the money comes from private funds — still obscene.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:18 pm
Lovie’s name recognition in Chicago will help recruit good local players (I hope).

Comment by Scamp640 Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:19 pm
Coaching salary does not come out of state appropriations.

On the other hand, the U of I trustee’s just voted to give their president a 100K bonus.

Comment by Because I said so.... Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Publius - using the current base cost of tuition and fees for in-state students, about 150 students could go to UIUC for free for what Lovie Smith’s currently paid. By the later years of his contract, it increases to about 333 students. That number doesn’t include his retention and other bonuses.

Comment by Filmmaker Prof Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:28 pm
From the interwebs …

(Michigan’s Jim) Harbaugh will make a minimum of $40.1 million over the seven years

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:29 pm
Voted Yes. Lovie can recruit, has brought aboard some quality assistant coaches and can only improve what has been a terminally lackluster program these past years.

He is a class act who has already set a tone of competence and respect. His sense of dedication and professionalism will pay off. Be patient my friends.

Comment by illini Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:32 pm
Yes. Because hope springs eternal and I’ve always thought of him as an utter gentleman. Those are my lousy reasons. The good one: there’s not much room to do worse.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:32 pm
I voted no. Smith has a record of good defensive teams, but you also need good offense to win games

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:34 pm
I only have expectations of a moderate improvement on the field due to the challenges of competing in major college football, but I expect the off the field performance of the team to be exceptional. I have a lot of respect for Lovie and his approach to both football and life.

Comment by SC Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:36 pm
How would you define a turnaround…

When you no longer seriously wonder if the U of I is the third best D-I football program in the state.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:43 pm
Voted ‘no’. If you define turn around as winning the Big 10 Championship, don’t think so. And to those complaining about salaries of coaches, the Board voted to give the Men’s Golf Coach a raise to over $300K per year.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:43 pm
Voted NO. Illinois football and Champaign Urbana just don’t have the pull to get the recruits. It’s been that way since the 50’s. Sure they have had a few up years but nothing sustained at all.

Comment by Big Muddy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:43 pm
Voted No. They spent too much money on the coach, not enough money left over to pay the players.

Comment by L.A. Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:44 pm
If you could measure enthusiasm, the turnaround has already begun. Beckman was hard presses to attract 3-star athletes. Lovie has already signed some three-stars and is in the hunt for some four-stars.

Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:51 pm
- L.A. -

You got it wrong!
They pay Lovie & he pays the players! /s

Comment by WhoKnew Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:51 pm
Filmmaker Prof always shows up on the threads about coaches and their salaries. Prof, keep in mind, many would like to have your salary, your hours, your holidays off including the 3-4 week Christmas break and summers off.

Keep that in mind when you rant about coaches pay and perks.

Comment by Piece of Work Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:51 pm
he has some good and well known assistant coaches there to handle the details so Lovie and be Lovie and attract the best instate players.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:51 pm
Anon@ 4:51, the only problem is this: in the class that graduated in May, there was ONE Illinois player ranked in the top 100 nationally and he went to Michigan State. Lovie better land players from the South and other states.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:56 pm
AA is a cautiously optimistic Yes. It all comes down to recruiting as I see it. I’m very pleased so far with the changes to the tone and tenor of the program in the off-season and am hopeful that translates into greater success on the field.

Oh, and Golf Coach Small earned every penny of that raise. How many B1G championships, NCAA berths, and pro players have come out of that program? A baker’s dozen or more.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:56 pm
Mike Small is a stud of a coach!

Comment by Piece of Work Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:57 pm
I voted yes. If Illinois could have 2 of the 3 NFL top draft choices in Kevin Hardy and Simeon Rice under the mighty Lou Tepper in 1996, it figures that Lovie could recruit and coach up some top high school kids from all over the country if he fully applies himself. Frankly, I think Lovie being African-American will help, too.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 5:20 pm
Lovie Has Coached In NFL…Good Recruiting Tools..

Comment by Shake Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 5:20 pm
Voted “Yes”

Sidebar - Mike Small is ridiculously good. Illini Golf, top shelf.

To the Post,

“Why?”

They will be better, no doubt, just by reputation, but let’s put B1G in perspective…

Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Iowa now are a top tier that puts the next tier to shame.

Sure, Nebraska is tough, but after Nebraska, yikes.

Illinois needs to get to Nebraska level respect in the B1G (using this year as the measuring stick - polling), then Lovie will earn this money. Get to the Top Tier, it’s possible, so I’m “Yes”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 5:27 pm
with Willy and also bet Lovie will keep them graduating which should be the real measure of success for student athletes.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 5:42 pm
I can’t vote, based on this email I received from the University of Illinois President on August 1st explaining why there were no raises again:

“Unfortunately, the budget stalemate in Springfield remains unresolved; following two partial “stopgap” appropriations, the state still does not have a full-year budget for the 2017 fiscal year that started July 1. This leaves us with uncertainty over funding that again makes a salary program fiscally imprudent at this time. As responsible stewards of the University’s future, we must be careful about committing to ongoing, increased expenses while our long-term financial picture is unclear.

Therefore, we will defer consideration of a salary program for now, and will continue to pursue efficiencies and cost savings that hopefully will allow us to implement a modest program in fiscal 2017. In the meantime, academic appointments for 2016-17 will be presented to the Board of Trustees in September at current salary levels.”

Comment by Stuff Happens Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 6:16 pm
Sure hope so. I got to meet Mr. Smith in Springfield a couple weeks back at his meet-and-greet. Classy man.

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 6:18 pm
Would definitely be great for recruitment. Doesn’t matter though, NIU has the best football team in the state!

Comment by Clark Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 6:34 pm
Related. Wonkette: Thoughtful Chicago Tribune Columnist Muses About ‘Feral’ Black Boys

Thoughtful? Cass? LOL.

But read it thru. LOL2.

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 7:16 pm
Oops. Wrong thread. Sorry.

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 7:17 pm
Voted no.

Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 7:39 pm
Yes. I thought it was a bold and brillliant (soap opera?) move by UI and a great fit for Lovey. I think he’s perfect for the college game.

It”s all about recruiting. Lovey has star power as a Bears Super Bowl coach to compete with Harbaugh, Meyer and
Dantonio (watch out for Fitz, he’s the goods with the braniacs) to lock down state talent, then go home south to Louisiana and Texas to pick up speed.

. His former players — Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman, Rex (kidding) will run through walls for him on the recruiting trail.

Give him four years, and he will bring the Illini up to th Big Ten elite.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 10:10 pm
Voted No. It’s the U of I. Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan have the Midwest covered. Those school are able to take care of themselves and the weather turns away recruits. Why play here when you can go south or west coast and enjoy a mild winter.

Comment by Carl Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 10:31 pm
Piece of Work, if you want a job as a college professor, then go get one. It is a free market system. Nothing is stopping you. If you are jealous of those who have such jobs, it is because you chose not to get one.

Comment by Filmmaker Prof Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 10:40 pm
I say yes. He got a late start on 2017 recruiting, but a decent class is coming together. He jumped right on 2018, though, and it already looks like we have a great shot at one of the top cornerbacks in the country.
He seems to be focusing most on Florida and St Louis for the 2017 class, which is a good move. Illinois is turning into a football talent wasteland.
He’s still recruiting in state, but out of state is where you’re going to find the real impact players. Not much in the way of 4/5 star talent in state these days.

Comment by Jerry 101 Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:46 pm
The real question is should Illinois and the nations obsession with sport eat up so much money that could be used for fruitful endeavors like education or research.

Comment by Red tower Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:59 pm
He will bd able to recruit in Chicago a lot easier just with his name.

Comment by Regular democrat Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 7:21 am
Piece of Work—-It’s not too late for you! Go get that job you’re so jealous of!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 7:53 am
We can’t afford college sports

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 7:56 am
In Lovie We Trust

Comment by Dee Lay Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 8:19 am
Voted yes based solely on his ability improve recruiting and better coaching talent he attracts.

Any up and coming coach sees Lovie’s NFL ties as a huge upside to coming to U of I. He could easily assemble one of the best coaching staffs in the Big 10. They were at the bottom, nowhere to go but up.

I see minor bowl games and a couple of winning seasons as returns to respectability. They will not contend for the conference title, but respect will be good enough.

Comment by siriusly Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 8:29 am
===pay him at least $21 million over six years.===

I like Lovie, but maybe we shouldn’t be spending ~3 million a year on football coaches while we’re telling other state employees their garbage undeserving of cost of living adjustments.

Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 8:43 am
I voted yes, and I believe what will make it all work is the guidance of the new AD. He’s flying under the radar right now with Lovie and Groce finally pulling in some serious talent on the hardwood. The AD is what will put Illinois athletics on an entirely new level. He just started with the hiring of Smith.

Comment by LessAnon? Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 9:31 am
Voted No! College football is important only at the intermural level. This is the type of silliness that makes Rauner’s underfunding seem like a good idea. But,but but our wine list will degrade.

Comment by Matt Vernau Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 9:36 am
Really, this is what we have money for! Get rid of college sports and make the pro teams pay for it.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 10:04 am
Film Prof, I see you missed the point completely. So, it is okay for you to whine about coaching contracts but nobody can whine about your cush job?

Tell us, how many classes do you teach? What are the total office hours you maintain? How many actual days do you work in a calendar year?

Comment by Piece of Work Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 11:12 am
I tentatively voted yes.

Illinois has no serious presence in any major NCAA Sport for several years so I really knew nothing about them when I moved here 10 years ago and I haven’t had a reason to be remotely interested in them since I’ve arrived. But for some reason I surprised myself and found the hiring of their new Athletic Director pretty interesting. Then his hiring of Lovie Smith finally gives me SOME reason to check in on Illini football this year.

I have respect for Lovie Smith and think he is probably the best possible coach Illinois could get right now who might have the credentials to recruit talent and improve competitiveness. I wish him the best.

Comment by Bluegrass Boy Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 1:46 pm