I just got done talking about how I’m only about the 4-5 Chicago sports teams. I said I really didn’t care about anything else. This is true, but a recent event has definitely drawn my attention.
This of course is the hiring of Lovie Smith by the Illinois Fighting Illini football team. First reaction, was “great move”!
When was the last time I was interested in Illinois football, let alone college football period. I will definitely not set aside time to watch college football, but if and when I get a chance, I will try to catch the local teams. Notre Dame has always been at the top of that list for college football teams. They’ve been our best option outside of jumping on any Big 10/Big 12 schools, although the 2 local schools in the Big 10 would be #2 & 3 on the list. Northwestern has been mostly bad throughout my lifetime. I do remember the Rose Bowl against USC, Darnell Autry, and the now coach of the Wildcats, Pat Fitzgerald. I like him, so although I don’t necessarily watch any games, I take note of their results. Illinois would be #3 on that list when it comes to college football. The last time I remember any interest in Illinois football was again, their Rose Bowl vs USC. I was out in LA at the time, and was thinking about going to the game and checking out Rashard Mendenhall and company; tickets were way too high. Before that game, Jeff George is the first guy that comes to mind. Of course, going back in the day, you had George Halas, Red Grange, and Dick Butkus that are alumni. And oh yeah, by the way, Illinois has won 5 national championships… I was shocked when I read that.
So hiring Lovie puts them right back in that discussion, right? Whoa, whoa… I’m definitely not saying all that. I’ve had my mixed feelings with Lovie over the years, from showing absolutely no emotion to challenging calls and always losing, to having the respect of his players and leading the Bears to only their 2nd Super Bowl, there has been bad and good. At the end of the day, although I wasn’t his biggest fan, one thing for sure, is that I respected him… sometimes it takes time to reach that level, especially for us sports crazed lunatics. The players playing for him 110% shows me what I need to know; not listening to us crazy fans. Of course, it comes down to the results, and at the end of the day, 0 Super Bowls, although the 1 Super Bowl appearance makes him the 3rd best Bears coach of all time.
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Now he goes to college… I think he’ll do well. He has a program and he will stick to it. He will bring consistency. He brings some much needed attention. He brings his experience. Who else better would Illinois have hired? Again, I don’t follow as closely, but first of all, who really would want this job… what really top notch coach? Actually, it’s kind of a surprise that Lovie took it, although maybe it shouldn’t be.
I heard one of his interviews this morning, and he talked about his love of mentoring. This should work out a whole lot better in college than the pros. These are mentorable young men (hopefully), not million dollar men; can’t teach an old dog new tricks type stuff. Although he did get some great results from his players, at least with the Bears. I think he’ll do well in this aspect at Illinois. I actually think Thibs may be best suited for college as well; one caller I heard said now Illinois needs to hire him to coach their basketball team. That would be funny.
Again, I don’t think I’ve talked Illinois football in a long time… definitely haven’t dedicated a blog to it, but I’m peeking through the Chicago blinders today, and I like what I see. How will the next 6 years go? They definitely can’t be worse than the last 6. Good luck Lovie.
MK
Lovie immediately brings some credibility to the program and should draw some interest for recruits looking to play for a well respected coach that did it in the nfl. It might also keep some solid recruits local instead of letting them go to other schools. I wish Lovie the best and hope the Illinois program can get back to respectability and beyond. I remember the fighting illini days of the college bball days in 1989..hamilton, bardo, battle, liberty, anderson, and gill. And then the days of deron, dee, and luther. Maybe lovie can help make some football memories for Illinois. He definitely cant hurt things.