If Lovie Smith stays out of the way and doesn't attempt to coach, the Illini

[TwinDegrees2]

should be pretty good. He's got a great staff coming in and bringing in guys he knows.

Projected Illini coaching staff
Position Coach
Head coach

Lovie Smith

Offensive coordinator / QBs

Garrick McGee

Defensive coordinator / linebackers

Hardy Nickerson

Offensive line

Luke Butkus

Running backs


Wide receivers

Andrew Hayes-Stoker

Tight ends


Defensive line

Mike Phair

Defensive backs

Mikal Smith


Nothing like a bit of nepotism in the last hire, but at least the kid can get his own apartment. Reading on their board, it appears like a lot of players in the Chicago area are taking a hard look at the Illini with Lovie now the head coach....which limits Hazell's ability to get any good recruits out of the Windy.

 

[lbodel]

should be pretty good. He's got a great staff coming in and bringing in guys he knows.

Projected Illini coaching staff
Position Coach
Head coach

Lovie Smith

Offensive coordinator / QBs

Garrick McGee

Defensive coordinator / linebackers

Hardy Nickerson

Offensive line

Luke Butkus

Running backs


Wide receivers

Andrew Hayes-Stoker

Tight ends


Defensive line

Mike Phair

Defensive backs

Mikal Smith


Nothing like a bit of nepotism in the last hire, but at least the kid can get his own apartment. Reading on their board, it appears like a lot of players in the Chicago area are taking a hard look at the Illini with Lovie now the head coach....which limits Hazell's ability to get any good recruits out of the Windy.

The thing about head coaches with football is that they are more on the level of manager than day to day/x's and o's coach. Obviously with games and such, there's decisions being made - but the huge difference between pro and college is obviously you have more "control" over your personnel (you're doing your own recruiting, maintaining, etc.).

 

[New Pal Boiler]

should be pretty good. He's got a great staff coming in and bringing in guys he knows.

Projected Illini coaching staff
Position Coach
Head coach

Lovie Smith

Offensive coordinator / QBs

Garrick McGee

Defensive coordinator / linebackers

Hardy Nickerson

Offensive line

Luke Butkus

Running backs


Wide receivers

Andrew Hayes-Stoker

Tight ends


Defensive line

Mike Phair

Defensive backs

Mikal Smith


Nothing like a bit of nepotism in the last hire, but at least the kid can get his own apartment. Reading on their board, it appears like a lot of players in the Chicago area are taking a hard look at the Illini with Lovie now the head coach....which limits Hazell's ability to get any good recruits out of the Windy.

I doubt Lovie is going to go after the Chicagoland 2 stars that Haze has his sights set on.

 

[TwinDegrees2]

I doubt Lovie is going to go after the Chicagoland 2 stars that Haze has his sights set on.

 

[combes]

should be pretty good. He's got a great staff coming in and bringing in guys he knows.

Projected Illini coaching staff
Position Coach
Head coach

Lovie Smith

Offensive coordinator / QBs

Garrick McGee

Defensive coordinator / linebackers

Hardy Nickerson

Offensive line

Luke Butkus

Running backs


Wide receivers

Andrew Hayes-Stoker

Tight ends


Defensive line

Mike Phair

Defensive backs

Mikal Smith


Nothing like a bit of nepotism in the last hire, but at least the kid can get his own apartment. Reading on their board, it appears like a lot of players in the Chicago area are taking a hard look at the Illini with Lovie now the head coach....which limits Hazell's ability to get any good recruits out of the Windy.

I don't think his son is going to be a part of the staff. It was rumored at first, but I am hearing otherwise, now. The kid did coach db's in Dallas the year his dad was not coaching, so he hasn't only been hired by his dad.

 

[C-Paranoia]

The Chicago Tribune reported that Lovie may have taken the position in part to assure his son employment. Seems like a stretch, but it's not just speculation from "a Knucklehead".

 

[chitownUofI05]

The Chicago Tribune reported that Lovie may have taken the position in part to assure his son employment. Seems like a stretch, but it's not just speculation from "a Knucklehead".

Depends on whom. If it was Greenstein, he's an NU grad who takes any chance possible to bash Illinois.

 

[illinihorn]

His sons aren't on the staff.

 

[combes]

The Chicago Tribune reported that Lovie may have taken the position in part to assure his son employment. Seems like a stretch, but it's not just speculation from "a Knucklehead".

Greenstein is a Northwestern shill. Lovie's staff is complete and neither of his sons is on staff. He put together a heck of a staff, too.

 

[Bippus33]

I doubt Lovie is going to go after the Chicagoland 2 stars that Haze has his sights set on.

What do you mean.......Purple Haze can not find Chicago!!!!