Sources: Ex-Bears Coach Lovie Smith A Leading Candidate For Illinois Job
(CBS) Former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith is a leading candidate for Illinois' head coaching job, sources told CBS 2's Ryan Baker.
In his first official day on the job, Illini athletic director Josh Whitman fired Bill Cubit on Saturday after a one-year stint as interim coach and 97 days as head coach. Illinois went 5-7 in 2015.
Smith, 57, coached the Bears for nine seasons, from 2004-'12, leading them to the Super Bowl following the 2006 season and compiling an 81-63 record. He was the Bucs' coach for the past two seasons, being fired in January after a 6-10 season. Smith has a career 89-87 mark.
Smith was an assistant coach at the collegiate level from 1983-'95. He hasn't coached in college since becoming the Bucs' linebackers coach in 1996.