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Fans, media react to Lovie Smith era ending at Illinois
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Lovie Smith was hired in 2016 to revive what had become an irrelevant and losing Illinois Fighting Illini football program, but he wasn’t able to do it on a big enough scale and it appears the school has decided to go a separate direction.
Following the Illini’s 28-10 blowout loss to Northwestern in the Land of Lincoln game, reports this morning out of Champaign were that Smith’s days as head coach at the school were over. Howard Griffith, a former Illinois player and current BTN analyst, confirmed the news via tweet.
If it is over, then Smith finishes with a 17-37 record at Illinois. His best season came in 2019 when the Illini went 6-7 and lost 35-20 to the Cal Golden Bears in the Redbox Bowl. Smith was 10-33 overall in the Big Ten, including an 0-9 campaign in 2017.
Some of the reaction from media and industry people on Twitter can be found below.
Lovie just couldn't get it turned around in Champaign. https://t.co/O2CZGN94TY
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 13, 2020
Hearing the Lovie Smith era is over at #Illinois. Could be an announcement soon.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 13, 2020
I know who I would call…Try the 716 area code. https://t.co/Mozk3y9XMv
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 13, 2020
According to a university source, Lovie Smith is meeting with his players at 11 am. Is this the end of the Lovie Smith era at Illinois?
— Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski) December 13, 2020
.@CoachLeipold would be ideal for this opening, IMO. https://t.co/XyAR4jvagL
— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) December 13, 2020
Nothing from the school yet, but … pretty good source here. And he's not the only one. More to come, certainly #Illini https://t.co/AL12MCIIgG
— Colin Likas (@clikasNG) December 13, 2020
@IlliniFootball & Lovie Smith Have decided to part ways.
— Howard Griffith (@HowardGriffith) December 13, 2020
Reports coming out. Was told players meeting at 11 a.m. but were unsure why. Seems the only reason. https://t.co/VOF2Y1FmY2
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020
There has been a lot of industry speculation on Lovie's status since the loss to Iowa: https://t.co/BMOq6h8yP9
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 13, 2020
Waiting on #illini official announcement but all the reports are on the money. Lovie Smith's time at Illinois is coming to an end.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020
Waiting on #illini official announcement but all the reports are on the money. Lovie Smith's time at Illinois is coming to an end.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020
Waiting on #illini official announcement but all the reports are on the money. Lovie Smith's time at Illinois is coming to an end.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) December 13, 2020
Illinois is one of those programs that could be so much better. They just keep whiffing on coaches. https://t.co/FLoaE3jblv
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 13, 2020
BREAKING: Lovie Smith is out as head coach at Illinois, per sources. @HowardGriffith/@ESPNRittenberg first reported the news
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 13, 2020
@IlliniFootball & Lovie Smith Have decided to part ways.
— Howard Griffith (@HowardGriffith) December 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/ErikBuchinger/status/1338171284153389060?s=20
My favorite non-Jeff Brohm coach in the conference. Dangit…likable dude. https://t.co/w98FNft2P2
— Boiled Sports (@BoiledSports) December 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1338170548728123392?s=20
Sad day https://t.co/Yuyu2nfGnN
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) December 13, 2020
🚨 Report 🚨
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) December 13, 2020
The Lovie Smith Era at Illinois is over. pic.twitter.com/halZwJqzyx
Harrison alum and Illinois AD Josh Whitman in the market for a coach https://t.co/M3X7qHj5ff
— mike carmin (@mike_carmin) December 13, 2020
Harrison alum and Illinois AD Josh Whitman in the market for a coach https://t.co/M3X7qHj5ff
— mike carmin (@mike_carmin) December 13, 2020
Urban Meyer to Illinois?
— Adam Spencer (@AdamSpencer4) December 13, 2020
Mark Schipper is a reporter, sportswriter, and aspiring novelist living in Chicago, Illinois.