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It's official: Lovie Smith is new #Illini coach.
— Rick Morrissey (@MorrisseyCST) March 7, 2016
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:05 am
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“Some unknown Liberal Arts major is our Quarterback” - Fake Illini Coach Lovie Smith
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:10 am
Think he’ll figure out how to do offense?
Comment by JackD Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:12 am
I’m ecstatic. Shows Illinois willing to compete. also helps Tampa Bay is paying Lovie a bunch of money.
Comment by Fire Ron Guenther Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:12 am
Illinois football is as relevant as Ron Sandack in the budget process.
Comment by Big Muddy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:15 am
For the first time in over a decade this Illini fan thinks we have an AD who understands where we are and where we could be.
Not saying we are about to become Alabama football in the next year but finally someone is at the helm who won’t run the AD as central Illinois HS program.
And, FIRE GROCE
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:15 am
Does this mean tuition and fees will go down for the students?
Comment by plutocrat03 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:16 am
I kind of like it - and I but George Halas does too!
Comment by doofusguy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:17 am
I’ve been a Michigan football fan since Jim Harbaugh was the QB in the 80s, but my dad is a U of I alum and it’s good to see the “local” team do well. The Big 14 - er, Big 10 - is better off when more than 3-4 teams are competitive. Given the style of play in the Big 10, it’s conceivable for Lovie to put together a stout defense and competent offense and still challenge for a division title on a yearly basis.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:18 am
I had Josh Whitman in class when he was a law student. The guy is just flat-out smart. Lovie is just step one - it’s a way to immediately change the “buzz” and make the program relevant to potential recruits, particularly in the Chicago area, again. But the second (third, fourth) steps will involve the assistants. I suspect Josh is going to have a significant voice in how Lovie’s staff shapes up, because at the end of the day, they are going to be where the rubber really hits the road. Rebuilding Illinois football, however, is a long-term proposition; I don’t know if this move will work, but I think it was the best possible move under the circumstances.
Comment by jdcolombo Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:21 am
Lovie is a good enough X and O’s coach, but that’s only half the job in college football.
Recruiting is the other — and, by far, more important — half. He’s never done that, but he’s a name high school kids have heard before.
If nothing else, you need three to five years stability at that job. If he can start locking down the top in-state recruits after a few years, like all the best programs do, that would be a major victory.
I don’t think Lovie will get offered another NFL head coaching job, so there’s a shot he might stick for a while.
So, the Illini are paying three head football coaches right now — one of them to actually coach?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:21 am
It makes U of I an even more attractive option for highly sought after recruits. Competition is going to be stiff in the conference with Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, and, to a lesser degree, Northwestern playing as well as they have the past couple of years. Great pickup!
Comment by The Muse Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:25 am
Word - the payment to the coaches was a concern of mine, too, but I think Mike Thomas fired Tim Beckman for cause and the school refused to pay him either his salary or his buyout. I also believe that Cubit’s contract only requires him to be paid for one year of his contract - which is less than $1 million. I now see why Interim Chancellor Wilson agreed to it. The fallout is about as minimal as humanly possible.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:35 am
Fantastic first week couple of days for Whitman. Surprised he was able to get someone like Lovie so quickly. Huge boost for recruiting, the image of the program and for a fan base desperate for someting…anything… decent on the football field. Now, Groce has a year to do big things with the incoming class or he’s next. Nice way to clarify the expectations right off the bat.
Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:36 am
Let’s see who he adds to the staff. He needs to learn recruiting, so it would be nice if he could find a good recruiter to be his defensive coordinator. Hey, I hear Ron Zook isn’t doing anything important up north. Not that that will happen, but we need a recruiter of that caliber.
Also, too, need a good OC.
And I agree with Give Me a Break. Groce should be fired as soon as the season ends. Maybe Whitman can hire another Chicago-area retread as coach. I hear Thibodeau isn’t doing much these days.
Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:37 am
Giving Cubit a two-year deal before they hired an AD made no sense, so it’s nice to see that Whitman took control on his first day in charge. Whether Lovie Smith will be a great coach remains to be seen, but he’s gotta be a lot better than Beckman and Cubit. He has a lot more experience and one would think that he will have some success in the recruiting aspect of his job.
All in all, it’s a big step in the right direction. Mike Thomas was a complete Bozo and he hired incompetent coaches as well. One more to go.
Comment by chiatty Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:37 am
Some think his lack of recruiting experience will hurt, but as long as he has a good staff in place to get the initial legwork done, I think he’ll be able to close the deal with plenty of good prospects. By all accounts he has a very charming and personable nature, and he has the reputation of a mentor and player-friendly coach that is about as far as you can get from the stereotype of a raving, profane, over-the-top football coach. I’m confident he will be able to make parents comfortable sending their kids to play for him.
Comment by BigDoggie Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:38 am
I saw someone say that the only reason that Illinois extended Cubit was to help ensure the (crummy) recruiting class didn’t bolt to play at Wisconsin-Whitewater. He wasn’t actually expected to coach another game. They had to get the new AD finalized so then the new AD could bring in his coach. It’s pretty clear that Whitman (and Illinois) had agreed to hire Lovie in principal before Whitman was even hired. This thing moved too fast otherwise. Cubit was barely fired before Lovie being hired leaked (to reassure recruits and players, I’m sure).
Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:40 am
So a multi-millionaire is now Illinois’ highest-paid public employee?
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:47 am
A new football coach at Illinois?
Meh
Comment by Bronco Bahma Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:48 am
Looks like Illinois is trying to follow Michigan’s lead. Only problem is that Harbaugh knows how to win.
Comment by Slick Willy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:49 am
==Jerry 101: “It’s pretty clear that Whitman (and Illinois) had agreed to hire Lovie in principal before Whitman was even hired.”==
Exactly. I wonder if promising Smith was what got Whitman considered in the first place.
Comment by Curmudgeon Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:49 am
I think it’s a good move by Whitman/U of I.
Hiring Lovie is generating a mostly-positive buzz and that’s something the program hasn’t had in several years.
Time will tell if that translates into better quality recruits and eventual on-field improvement but for now, I think it’s about as good a move as anyone could make to bring positive attention to Illinois Football.
Comment by Bluegrass Boy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:51 am
==Looks like Illinois is trying to follow Michigan’s lead. Only problem is that Harbaugh knows how to win.==
The best year of both Harbaugh and Lovie ended with the same result.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:52 am
I’m actually a little jealous, because now NIU’s program will have to compete for attention. But I’m happy for Lovie…he should have never been fired from his previous gig.
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:55 am
For the first time since before Zook was fired, I’m interested in Illinois football again. I am a Josh Whitman fan.
Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:59 am
The distinction between AD’s Thomas and Whitman couldn’t be more clear. Whitman knew who he wanted and he went and got him. Thomas fired Zook without having a replacement waiting in the wings. Beckman, maybe the third or fourth choice, was hired because the Big U had to have a coach, any coach. Same with Groce when Weber was fired.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:02 am
Sorry, the last one was me. Darn computers.
Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:03 am
If Higher Education has this kind of Money to spend on one persons salary and another $1,346,000 to make the old coach and his son go away then they have plenty of money for funding. No need for any state appropriation dollars…
Smith has a six-year contract worth $21 million in salary. He will be paid $2 million a year in each of his first two seasons.
The university said in a release that Cubit will be paid $985,000. His son, offensive coordinator Ryan Cubit, was also fired and will be paid $361,000 for the remainder of his contract.
Comment by Jolly1 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:03 am
Big Muddy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:15 am:
Illinois football is as relevant as Ron Sandack in the budget process.
C’mon Big Muddy, Lovie coached the Bears for 9 years, was coach of the year and took them to a Super Bowl. If you’re gonna compare a coach to Sandack try Dick Jauron.
Comment by markg8 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:05 am
Jolly1,
I believe the coaches there are typically paid for by endowments created just for them. Generally some wealthy alumnus or two or three just put up the money.
Comment by m Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:10 am
At first blush I questioned the move but after consideration for a day or two I think it’s a great move. Gives the Illini football program instant credibility and exposure in the Chicago market.
Thing is…if Lovie has any success he’ll be offered a pro job somewhere and Illinois will be back in the tank.
Comment by Stones Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:11 am
Great move in a normal year. This year ain’t normal.
Jolly1 presents a valid sentiment: “If Higher Education has this kind of Money to spend on one persons salary and another $1,346,000 to make the old coach and his son go away then they have plenty of money for funding. No need for any state appropriation dollars…”
If they have $21 million laying around, shouldn’t they cut tuition and hire a no name coach? If CSU and EIU fail to make a payroll, they may turn to the U of I $ pot to bail them out.
Comment by Higher Ed Optician Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:11 am
Who Cares
Comment by Springfield Watcher Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:19 am
I’m also agreeing with the comments on cost. U of I’s Springfield lobbyists and press office are going to have a hard time justifying massive program cuts if they’re pouring millions of dollars into rebuilding a failing football program. Maybe the Governor is right that our universities need to prioritize their tuition and fee spending before demanding taxpayer assistance.
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:20 am
Stones,
USC did the same thing, though they have a much longer history of football success. They took a scrub, failed NFL coach (who was far less accomplished than Lovie, actually), and won a couple of national titles a few years later. Yeah, the guy bolted back to the NFL (and won a super bowl), but it worked out pretty well. Certainly reinvigorated USC football.
I’ll take rebuilding the talent pipeline and multiple bowl appearances in row and call that a darn successful tenure for Lovie, should he bolt in 3 or 4 years.
Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:21 am
GRF is not funding Illini sports.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:22 am
Good luck to Lovie but could someone explain to me the philosophy of believing that the best recommendation for a new coach is that he was fired twice previously? And while we are at it could someone remind me again why Bruce Weber was fired?
Comment by H.L. Mencken Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:31 am
The DIA is self supporting. It does not use taxpayer money.
This was a good move. They needed someone who could move the needle. Lovie spent 15 years coaching in college, his last gig at Ohio State, so he is not a neophyte when it comes to recruiting. Lovie will have a lot easier time getting in living rooms then Beckman or Cubit.
You never know whether any hire will work out, but congrats to Josh Whitman for a very bold and badly needed move.
Comment by Peoria Guy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:31 am
Good luck to Lovie but why is it that the best recommendation for a new coach is that he has been fired twice previously.
And while we are at it, could someone remind me whay it was that Illinois fired Bruce Weber?
Comment by H.L. Mencken Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:35 am
I suspect billionaire Illini booster Shahid Khan stepped in with some financial support
Comment by Peoria Guy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:35 am
I think the egregious insult to Shahid Kahn from the university faculty has finally worn off and Khan is back helping the university again.
Comment by Peoria Guy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:39 am
let’s not forget that Lovie fired Ron Rivera, and look where Chico is now!
Comment by Amalia Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:39 am
Now we need the CHIEF back.
Comment by scott aster Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:48 am
I liked him as a Bears coach, except for the whole Rex Grossman thing. I think he is a GREAT hire for U of I.
He will give them a huge boost in ability to bring in top assistants and recruiting better players. Not to mention raising money - which is part of the NCAA Coaches job these days.
Even better if he gets them a few more wins. University of Illinois needed a better more prominent face - and Lovie is a great choice to be that guy.
Comment by siriusly Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:49 am
Jerry101 @ 11:21-
Good example of the USC program. That’s pretty much the same conclusion I came to. Illinois can’t go anywhere but up and I hope Lovie gives them credibility particularly in the Chicago market. The move is worth the risk from a football standpoint.
Comment by Stones Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:59 am
Glad U of I had the extra ~ $1 mil to pay off Cubit’s contract that was just signed four months ago.
Guess that means U of I employees don’t have to worry about furlough days, right?
Comment by Stuff Happens Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:10 pm
To anyone saying Lovie didn’t win enough, just how many of the 45 other coaches in the history of the NFL with more wins than him (yes, he is 46th on the all-time NFL wins list) are available to take the job at Illinois?? Tom Coughlan is about the only one that seems available and I don’t see him being interested.
Comment by BigDoggie Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:12 pm
And just because it seems necessary to say for about the 300th time, the athletic department has their own revenue stream and budget, and the coaches’ salaries have absolutely nothing to do with the university’s education funding or taxpayer dollars.
Comment by BigDoggie Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:14 pm
How do these guys lose, lose and lose some more and then get these enormous contracts so they can take the U of I program and turn it into a loser as well.
And before anyone talks about the Super Bowl, just remember that year the Super Bowl was largely built on Ron Rivera’s #1 NFL defense and Kyle Orton’s drama-less play and amazing record. And what was Rivera’s reward? He was fired in favor of Lovie’s old buddy Bob Babich who took Rivera’s #1 defense and made it #29 in just one year. Lovie is all ego and all about Lovie and his buddies. I feel sorry for my Illini friends.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:19 pm
One more time here-
Lovie’s salary, and all athletic department expenses are NOT paid from GRF or UI funds. They are funded by ticket sales, advertising, private donations, and a “Big” check from the B1G Ten Network.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:19 pm
===They are funded by ticket sales, advertising, private donations, and a “Big” check from the B1G Ten Network. ===
I think a better question is “Why aren’t those revenue sources benefiting the university as a whole?”
Because, man, they could use the bucks a whole lot more than the football team.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:23 pm
Alas, it will take way more than a high profile new coach to lure me back to Illini football after years of disappointment and mismanagement. I think Lovie may help with recruitment, though, so it’s a start.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:26 pm
“I think a better question is “Why aren’t those revenue sources benefiting the university as a whole?”
Because, man, they could use the bucks a whole lot more than the football team.”
Exactly. Are university football programs created to benefit themselves, or the entire campus? Also note that students will often times pay an Athletic Fee and Facilities Fee, which covers sports facilities. Students pay into much more than just Tuition.
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:42 pm
==Are university football programs created to benefit themselves, or the entire campus?==
Collegiate sports have way more to do with keeping alums emotionally involved and hopefully eventually as financial contributors and estate benefactors (which does benefit the institution) than entertaining the current crop of campus students. Always has, always will be. That’s why the loss of Chief Illiniwek was such a mistake with long term financial impact to the school.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:50 pm
Look, the football program makes more money when it does well. The plan is that a good coach (and good facilities, etc.) is an investment in the program. Spend a little to make a little. Not saying that it always works, but that’s the plan.
So, if the football program makes money, that’s good for the university. Why? Mainly because students really like having a good football team. It’s just like building a nice dorm, or having pretty flowers on campus. It enhances the student experience. This is not unique to UIUC.
Comment by Darren72 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 1:11 pm
Perfect.
Univ of IL’s new AD: First official day on the job; fire football coach. Second official day on the job: Hire Lovie as head coach.
Two things should happen in IL because of that.
1) Make Josh Whitman IL Governor for one month; end this one year plus bull.
2) Require raunner to take mandatory ‘how to take action as a manager’ lessons from Whitman. The exam? raunner’s behavior as governor for the next month after the mandatory lessons are completed.
Failure will require his dismissal or resignation.
Now we’d be gettin’ somewhere !!!
Comment by sal-says Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 1:23 pm
I think a good football program helps attract some students and helps keep alumni vested.
As long as the football program is paying for itself I don’t see the compliant. College football hasn’t been about academics for a long time.
Comment by Lil Squeezy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 1:28 pm
Ensuring tickets will be easy to come by for years to come.
Comment by Touré's Latte Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:13 pm
“That’s why the loss of Chief Illiniwek was such a mistake with long term financial impact to the school.”
Really? is that why last year was the all-time record high year for donations? and the year before that was a record high? and the year before that? try doing 5 seconds of research.
Comment by Filmmaker Professor Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:05 pm
Please stop saying that the athletic department pays for itself. Students have to pay $280 per year in mandatory fees to the athletic department — all 42,000 students. If that makes the athletic department self supporting, then so is our government.
Comment by Filmmaker Professor Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:07 pm
Filmmaker, It’s not about what “is”, or “was” –it’s about what might have been. It’s about all the wills that were changed and the re-allocations of donations and trusts away from Illinois after the Chief debacle. Acts you cannot possibly know about unless you sit down and actually talk to people who did those very things. These are funds that would have accrued to the U of I 10, 20, 30 years down the road. You are welcome to delude yourself about this but it won’t change the very real fact that many alums drew away. One needs only to be at an Alumni gathering or on a Alumni trip to understand how profoundly and deeply the loss of the Chief will cost the institution.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:23 pm
I suppose the liberal professors at the U of IL and those guiding the NCAA are miffed that Whitman didn’t hire a transgender coach …
Comment by Curmudgeon Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:24 pm
NIU Grad, good point on the student fee. Since I’m paying one,I should know better lol.
Rich, I would agree that some of the cheddar from that TV contract should go back to academics, as long as it is done fairly across the conference. The Ohio State University doesn’t need any more advantages.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:24 pm
If you think hiring Lovie was tough, imagine what it is like for the Deans and department heads to recruit professors and researchers with no state budget and Tier II retirement.
Comment by Enemy of the State Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:33 pm
Professor, I believe you are mistaken on the fee revenue. I went to the UI’s website to see where my fee money is going and there is simply no fee that supports the DIA. The DIA receives a benefit from two fees that support the upkeep of facilities like the State Farm Center Illini Union, Ice Arena, and others as well as the direct payroll and operating costs of those facilities. Memorial Stadium is not included in that list of facilities.
I may be showing my age here, but I was a student at the U of I in 1978 and was involved in a restructuring of fees, during which the first student-directed fee, known as the SORF, was implemented.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:04 pm