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Big Ten Football: Power Ranking every Big Ten coach

By Trevor Jossart

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Jim Harbaugh Michigan Wolverines shakes hands with head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans after a 32-23 Michigan win at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Jim Harbaugh Michigan Wolverines shakes hands with head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans after a 32-23 Michigan win at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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14. Lovie Smith, Illinois

  • 2016 record: 3-9 (2-7)
  • 2017 record: 2-10 (0-9)
  • 2018 B1G recruiting class rank: 12 of 14

The Illinois Fighting Illini took a big risk bringing in Lovie Smith from the NFL to take over the program. In hindsight, it may not have been the best move due to the lack of success over the past several seasons, but in a conference with many elite coaches and it being very difficult to rebuild with several teams reloading every year, the risk seemed worthwhile.

Perhaps the greatest flaw in the hire of Smith was the fact that the Chicago Bears let him go following a 10-6 season. While that is a topic for another discussion, the proof is there that Smith has the ability to lead a winning team. The issue for Lovie has been finding the right personnel to coincide with his game plan.

Moving forward, it is pivotal that Smith starts to establish some consistency on the field. During the 2017 season, the Fighting Illini threw out multiple players in different positions- specifically a quarterback slot that featured two different styles of play in mobile with Cam Thomas and pocket passer with Jeff George Jr.

Illinois will face another tough slate on the schedule next year as the alternating Big Ten schedule will have five road games in conference play. It is uncertain how short of a leash Lovie Smith has, but it cannot be all that long.

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