Over the last three years, it’s been difficult for Illinois fans to find much positivity around the football program. There hasn’t been much success on the field since Lovie Smith arrived in 2016.

The Illini are just 7-21 during that period, winning just two conference games. Smith and Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman have continually told fans that its a rebuilding process and success will eventually return to Champaign.

Mark down B1G commissioner Jim Delany as one of the people buying that message.

“I knew Lovie and watched him as a Chicago Bears fan and have the utmost regard for him as a coach and a person,” Delany told FightingIllini.com. “So when Josh (Whitman) told me the hire was going to happen, I was enthusiastic and have remained enthusiastic, but there was no doubt work needed to be done. So he’s building a foundation with one of the youngest teams, I think, in Division I football.”

The Illini have been undergoing a youth movement the last two seasons, playing several freshman and sophomores with dwindling junior and senior classes. Still, with the results from the last two seasons, it’ been difficult for folks to remain supportive.

But Delany says that, as long as Smith and Whitman are in place, the program has a bright future.

“This is a tough league to get better in and everybody’s working hard, everybody’s got good talent, everybody’s got great resources,” Delany said. “But I think that Illinois under Lovie’s leadership and with Josh’s support, they’ve got a great future.”