http://www.thechampaignroom.com/201...aff-lovie-smith-fighting-illini-football-news
Head Coach: Lovie Smith (Link)
Offensive Coordinator: Garrick McGee (Link)
Defensive Coordinator: Hardy Nickerson
Offensive Line Coach: Luke Butkus (Link)
Wide Receivers Coach: Andrew Hayes-Stoker (Link)
Running Backs Coach: EMPTY
Defensive Line Coach: Mike Phair (Returning)
Lovie stole Bobby Petrino's OC in Garrick McGee, got former NFL great and current 49ers assistant coach Hardy Nickerson as DC, and he's got a Butkus back on campus to coach his OLine.
I'll admit, that's a better staff than I thought he would put together. I think it's totally brilliant to be able to brand yourself as the only staff in America with an African American head coach, OC, and DC. Football coaches are disproportionately white compared to players.
THAT is gonna play well in a lot of living rooms. Back when I thought we were gonna hire Charlie Strong, I was hoping he would come and hire a largely African-American staff. Such a great way to brand yourself right off the bat.
Also, raise your hand if you thought the Illini would be willing to pay 900K for a coordinator?!? I sure didn't.
Lovie has impressed me a lot already. Minnesota is gonna have to continue improving facilities going forward, and obviously after a big season this fall (crosses fingers)---Claeys and co. will need a contract closer to what Kill had.
Head Coach: Lovie Smith (Link)
Offensive Coordinator: Garrick McGee (Link)
Defensive Coordinator: Hardy Nickerson
Offensive Line Coach: Luke Butkus (Link)
Wide Receivers Coach: Andrew Hayes-Stoker (Link)
Running Backs Coach: EMPTY
Defensive Line Coach: Mike Phair (Returning)
Lovie stole Bobby Petrino's OC in Garrick McGee, got former NFL great and current 49ers assistant coach Hardy Nickerson as DC, and he's got a Butkus back on campus to coach his OLine.
I'll admit, that's a better staff than I thought he would put together. I think it's totally brilliant to be able to brand yourself as the only staff in America with an African American head coach, OC, and DC. Football coaches are disproportionately white compared to players.
THAT is gonna play well in a lot of living rooms. Back when I thought we were gonna hire Charlie Strong, I was hoping he would come and hire a largely African-American staff. Such a great way to brand yourself right off the bat.
Also, raise your hand if you thought the Illini would be willing to pay 900K for a coordinator?!? I sure didn't.
Lovie has impressed me a lot already. Minnesota is gonna have to continue improving facilities going forward, and obviously after a big season this fall (crosses fingers)---Claeys and co. will need a contract closer to what Kill had.
