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Lovie Smith Officially Named Illini Football Coach

It was a rather unexpected weekend for the University of Illinois and their football team. First the firing of Head Coach Bill Cubit and then the announcement that they would hire former Bears’ Head Coach Lovie Smith was a surprise. Smith comes to the university after being fired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past offseason and he hasn’t coached in college since 1995.

Smith met with his new players today at 7 am and then the coaches still on staff. He says that he is still evaluating who to keep and let go knowing full well how far the program has to come to be competitive. Smith says it’s an opportunity to relish.

 

 

Smith adds he won’t commit to any one style of play on the field but that he wants to give fans a reason to show up and support the team.

 

 

Smith says that the six year contract should speak for its self and he isn’t planning on going anywhere even if the NFL comes calling. The hire, worth $2 million a year over the next two seasons, $3 million the following year, $4 million in 2019 and then $5 million in 2020 and 2021. Smith's appointment will be presented for UI Board of Trustee approval on March 16.

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