Report: Lovie Smith lands NFL assistant as next defensive coordinator
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Lovie Smith reportedly landed his top target for an offensive coordinator in Garrick McGee.
A few hours later, Smith reportedly landed his top target for a defensive coordinator.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel, San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson is set to become Illinois’ next defensive coordinator.
https://twitter.com/SIPeteThamel/status/707617737175080961
Nickerson recently accepted the job as the linebackers coach on Chip Kelly’s staff after two years working for Smith in Tampa Bay. It remains to be seen what kind of buyout Illinois would have to pay for Nickerson to break his contract.
Nickerson, a five-time Pro Bowler, was also on Smith’s staff in 2007 when he was with the Chicago Bears. He was named to the 1990s All-Decade team as a four-time All-Pro linebacker.
In addition to Nickerson and McGee, Smith reportedly already hired Andrew Hayes-Stoker as wide receivers coach and Luke Butkus as offensive line coach. Coachingsearch.com also reported that Smith hired Buccaneers running backs coach Tim Spencer to take the same position at Illinois.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Mike Phair, who was named the Illinois defensive coordinator in December, will stay on Smith’s staff as the defensive line coach.
It’s only been two days since Smith was hired, but he appears to be filling out his staff quickly. The team will begin spring practice once Illinois has its coaching staff in place.