About Lovey Smith per Chicago Trib

[Bigohh]

Quote: "it would be wrong to underestimate the potential impact a strong, black role model could have on recruiting elite high school athletes to the Illinois campus in Champaign, hardly a model of diversity historically." Seems like that strategy did not work for us and I do believe Haze has much more presence than Lovey.

 

[chitownUofI05]

You're also in Indiana and Illini fans outnumber Boilers fans in the Chicago area like 5 to 1...

 

[RegionWarrior101]

Quote: "it would be wrong to underestimate the potential impact a strong, black role model could have on recruiting elite high school athletes to the Illinois campus in Champaign, hardly a model of diversity historically." Seems like that strategy did not work for us and I do believe Haze has much more presence than Lovey.

I know I was in awe of Darrell's Superbowl rings when I saw him.... Oh wait....

I mean, I know I was in awe of Darrell's long-term head coaching record and years of experience... Oh wait...

I meant, I know I was in awe of Darrell's prowess as a coordinator and his impressive scheme... Oh wait...

This is a homerun hire for Illinois... the absolutely, positively, best hire they could make at this time. Now they don't have to wait out Cubit's lame duck season. They can start rebuilding now. They lost out on some potential recruiting from November to March if anything. Big deal. Lovie Smith gives instant credibility to the program. It could not get any worse. And if it turns out Lovie can't recruit or relate in the college game, no big deal, but you at least took a chance. You are not going to get Nick Saban or anyone else to come to Champaign. And if Lovie wins and goes back to the NFL it means you were successful in the process.

 

[BoilerBiker]

willingham, Gill, hazell,etc -
Race may not be a completely zero factor but it's pretty far down the list to every other attribute & performance of the coach.

I'd expect Smith's college stint to end up better than guys like wannstedt (sp) anyway.

 

[RegionWarrior101]

willingham, Gill, hazell,etc -
Race may not be a completely zero factor but it's pretty far down the list to every other attribute & performance of the coach.

I'd expect Smith's college stint to end up better than guys like wannstedt (sp) anyway.

And Wanny did good at Pitt... 42-31.

 

[combes]

Quote: "it would be wrong to underestimate the potential impact a strong, black role model could have on recruiting elite high school athletes to the Illinois campus in Champaign, hardly a model of diversity historically." Seems like that strategy did not work for us and I do believe Haze has much more presence than Lovey.

He does not have the resume of Lovie, though. Coached in the Super Bowl as a head coach for the Bears and as an assistant for Tony Dungy. Has a name that is known nationwide unlike Haze. You can't be serious if you don't think that is true.

 

[RegionWarrior101]

He does not have the resume of Lovie, though. Coached in the Super Bowl as a head coach for the Bears and as an assistant for Tony Dungy. Has a name that is known nationwide unlike Haze. You can't be serious if you don't think that is true.

You also forgot about the Super Bowl he went to with the Rams.

 

[Cevol03]

Seems kind of odd that we are attracting so many Illini fans to the Purdue football board. We can hardly get Purdue fans interested in this board.

 

[threeeputtt]

Seems kind of odd that we are attracting so many Illini fans to the Purdue football board. We can hardly get Purdue fans interested in this board.

This is a Purdue BORED?

 

[ahhculdee]

Honestly I don't think many people who work in the athletic department are even aware of who Hazell is. Tells you about visibility.