Illinois AD Josh Whitman meets with media to discuss Lovie Smith firing

Across central Illinois, the news Sunday morning that Illinois head coach Lovie Smith was leaving the Illini football program brought mixed reviews.

The Illini dropped their final regular season game on Saturday to Northwestern, 28-10 to finish the regular season at 2-5. Smith, in his fifth year as the Illini head coach, went 17-39 (10-33 in the Big Ten) in five seasons at Illinois.

Shortly after current Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman was hired in the winter of 2016, he went out and hired Smith. After leading the Illini to a bowl appearance in 2019, the team had high expectations this fall with many key players returning, but have fallen far short of expectations.

Offensive coordinator Rod Smith will take over head coaching duties for the Illini during its Big Ten Champions Week game, which was also revealed Sunday afternoon. Illinois will travel to Penn State (3-5) for a 4:30 p.m. Saturday kickoff on Fox Sports 1.

Illinois held a team meeting Sunday to inform players of the decision, and aWhitman spoke to the media to discuss the timing of the decision, along with plans to move forward.

#illini AD Josh Whitman: "It's a hard day. It's a day that certainly none of us associated with the football program … had hoped had come, but I do believe it is necessary to realize … the full championship potential of the football program here." pic.twitter.com/oCueryRzW6

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: Lovie one of the best people I've ever been around. It's been a pleasure to have that the last five years.

"It's been a special journey for these last five years" and have a lot of special personal memories with him.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: We needed a steady hand, an experienced voice, someone who would bring credibility to the program. We all do remember those things were critical at that juncture. We were taking on water and needed someone who could steady the ship.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: "Did we win enough games? Absolutely not."

But in better position today to have success than when Lovie arrived. Better resources, staffing, facilities.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: I think the talent on our team is better than it's been in sometime. Expectations are higher, certainly following last season. We have a stable, experienced, aligned leadership at UI.

Feel we're in a good place to support a high-level football program.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman said he made the decision after the Iowa game. No turning point, single game. "It was an accumulation of observations and data points that I've gathered over these last couple years."

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: "I had to wrestle with how to evaluate a football program in the middle of a global pandemic."

Specifically mentions Purdue and Minnesota games.

Ultimately had to come to grips with pandemic is inherently unfair but still had to make evaluation.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: We always imagined this would be an important year. Buyout was structured that way.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: As AD, my obligation to my coaches is "I'm going to be all-in until I can't be. And then I'm going to get out."

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: No half-step or half-measure that could be taken to improve to where they need to. "So it was time to get out."

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini Lovie Smith buyout is ~$2.3 million, Whitman says.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: Today was the right day to do it. Competitive marketplace out there. We need to be prepared to position ourselves amongst our peers and move fast. Concerned if they waited a week, they'd get behind in the marketplace.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

mentions early signing period as well so recruits would know about change even if they don't know the conclusion

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: Will keep conversation with Lovie Smith to himself, but met with him this morning.

"Needless to say, he is class all the way. …He is a pro. …He is disappointed."

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: Incredibly grateful to the players. This is where leadership in the locker room will come through as they prepare for Penn State.

"They know how I care about them. I appreciate the trust they have in me."

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: Jimmy Lindsey will call the defense this week

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: 35 staff members tied directly to Lovie Smith in that football building. Next coach will have decision-making responsibility on next staff, so many won't come back. But I've asked them to keep working. That's hard. Indebted to them for being professional.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: We'll move quickly, confidentially. I think those are two characteristics of any successful search.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

#illini AD Josh Whitman: We'll move quickly, confidentially. I think those are two characteristics of any successful search.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.