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Illinois Football: Lovie Smith brings instant credibility to Fighting Illini

By Gabe Encinas

Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Illinois Fighting Illini made the hire of Lovie Smith official on Monday but can the former NFL head coach turn the program around and compete for Big Ten titles?

The Illinois football team officially hired Lovie Smith on Monday, two days after the surprise firing of Bill Cubit. With Smith taking over at Illinois, he has the power to put Illinois in a position to compete for Big Ten Championships. 

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In this millennium, Illinois has only had two seasons exceed the seven-win mark, one under Ron Turner in 2001 and the other under Ron Zook in 2007. Both of those seasons put the Illini in BCS Bowls, losing the Sugar and Rose Bowl in games that weren’t very competitive.

Since 2010, Illinois has had three bowl appearance and two wins, but the program hasn’t exactly rebounded since Zook had left the picture. But that’s where Smith comes in, bringing his previous college coaching experience from the Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC and NFL to Champaign, Illinois.

It’s going to take some time, but with just enough time, Smith will be able to compete in the Big Ten West, pitting him against the daunting Big Ten East. The West is home to traditional powers such as Wisconsin and Nebraska and the Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a 12-2 season and Rose Bowl appearance.

But with the current state of the Big Ten West, and the attractiveness of Smith as head coach, this is a perfect time for Illinois to gain some credibility and ascend to the top of the division.

The Big Ten East is a beast that might not be tamed by the West with Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan set up for long-term success, but it all has to start somewhere with Illinois.

He’ll need some time to recruit and build his roster, giving his team that defensive edge, but this could be a great head coaching match that will definitely make the Big Ten more competitive.

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Being a former NFL coach has to be enticing for potential recruits, especially for those in the Chicagoland area who grew up watching Smith coach the Chicago Bears for nine years, compiling an 81-63 record and a Super Bowl appearance.

This hire looks like the beginning of something that could be great for the Illini.

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