Gruen: Considering Circumstances, Lovie Smith Hiring Terrific For Illini
By Seth Gruen--
(CBS) Much like the way the coach himself speaks, there's call for a measured optimism when it comes to Lovie Smith's upcoming tenure as Illinois' football coach.
His high profile brings excitement to a desperate program. His coaching pedigree is one that the university has lacked throughout its recent history. Given that Illinois isn't typically a destination for sought-after coaches, the Illini couldn't have dreamed of a better hire as they inked Smith to a six-year, $21-million deal.
Powerhouse Big Ten schools may be able to do better, but Illinois has largely been a Big Ten punch line this decade. I challenge anyone to come up with a bigger name or better coach who would have considered taking the job.
Bernstein: Lovie Smith breaks barrier at Illinois
This hire, though, isn't a slam dunk. More so, athletic director Josh Whitman hit a triple. Now Smith needs to hire a group of seasoned college assistants to drive him home.
His hires can't exclusively come from his group of NFL buddies. Smith has to broaden his reach to the college ranks and bring in a staff that can plug any immediate deficiencies he may have as a recruiter.
Whitman was clear and outspoken: There's a large pool of money committed for assistants. Armed with cash, it's now on Smith to put together the right staff. Great assistant coaches have been a hallmark of Big Ten football. Last offseason, Pat Narduzzi and Tom Herman earned head coaching jobs at Pittsburgh and Houston, respectively, because previously at Michigan State and Ohio State, respectively, each was considered among the country's best coordinators.
The Illini have lacked great assistant coaches, which is among the reasons they have been so bad.
In trying to clean up the cesspool of dysfunction he inherited, Whitman had to get dirty. He had to make the distasteful decision to fire coach Bill Cubit in the odd time of March, leaving many of his recently hired assistants worried for their jobs, in order to hire Smith — a move that may seem inhumane but one that benefited the program.
Smith may have to offend sensibilities too. At this point in the year, an unorthodox time to hire a college coach, Smith may have to look to poach assistants from other schools. Though they may be amidst spring practice and well into the planning stages for 2016, much like Whitman, Smith has to do what's best for the program, even if it may appear cold and ruthless.
Undoubtedly, though, the biggest question surrounds Smith's ability to recruit.
After his press conference, I find myself no closer to a definitive answer as to whether he will be successful in bringing top talent to Illinois. We might just have to wait and see the results.
But it does appear that Smith understands what needs to be done, all jokes about his Twitter account aside.
Amid all the blubber and platitudes about how excited he is about the chance to coach the Illini, Smith also recognized Monday as an opportunity to reach recruits, specifically addressing local kids in a plea to join him and the program.
College coaches look for every opportunity to reach recruits, however subtle they may be. He seems to get that.
There are questions for sure, but already Smith has brought more attention to the program than I've ever seen. Attention means something to recruits.
Illinois wasn't going to get an immaculate candidate. Any coach who would take that job has flaws. If he didn't, he would seek employment elsewhere.
But considering the state of Illinois football, there's no better fit or coach than Smith.
Seth Gruen is columnist for CBSChicago.com, focusing on college sports. You can follow him on Twitter @SethGruen.