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I'm not a big fan of the whole "YOU'RE FIRED" bullshit that comes with moving on from coaches, although clearly we needed to move on.
I don't hold any grudge that it didn't work out, and my animosity would have been directed on those who let it continue, if it did.
I don't hold any grudge that it didn't work out, and my animosity would have been directed on those who let it continue, if it did.
I'm also not going to get into the performative "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE" crap for someone who was paid millions.
Nobody making that much money also needs their ego stroked too, that's what the fucking money is for.
Nobody making that much money also needs their ego stroked too, that's what the fucking money is for.
THAT SAID... ultimately the Lovie experiment was a bold move that didn't work out. Illinois needed drastic action when Lovie was hired, but just because you try something really hard doesn't mean it works or you get rewarded.
Outside of, like, not having good football teams, Lovie was a good ambassador for UIUC & seemed well liked by many.
It's a shame it did not work out, but most things don't. Only 25% of current FBS coaches have 6+ years at their school, Lovie did not produce enough to earn that.
It's a shame it did not work out, but most things don't. Only 25% of current FBS coaches have 6+ years at their school, Lovie did not produce enough to earn that.
Absolutely this. https://twitter.com/BobZuppke/status/1338174177652604930
Besides respect for the players who put a lot of time and effort into an ultimately mediocre football team, I'm very quickly running out of things to praise, or condemn, about the Lovie era.
I think where I'm settling is that it will be remembered for it's frustrating blandness.
I think where I'm settling is that it will be remembered for it's frustrating blandness.
Zook was a rollercoaster. There were moments of intense joy, fun and a excitement... and plenty of moments where you wanted to scream and punch things.
Beckman, well... nobody can say that the Beckman era didn't cause people to have emotions about things.
Best hope was he was settling into being a loveable doofus, but left a fairly mockable clown.
Best hope was he was settling into being a loveable doofus, but left a fairly mockable clown.
Cubit, eeehhh I celebrated his firing like few other things Illinois has produced in the last few years, but it wasn't personal towards the man, his position was a product of horrific leadership.
What will I remember about the Lovie years?
uhhh... I dunno, we had a couple wins last year that were kinda epic but also seemed mostly the product of luck?
Like, LovieBall was less a team identity and more of piñata that occasionally spilled candy if you hit it hard enough.
uhhh... I dunno, we had a couple wins last year that were kinda epic but also seemed mostly the product of luck?
Like, LovieBall was less a team identity and more of piñata that occasionally spilled candy if you hit it hard enough.
Mainly, my first thoughts at the end of the Lovie era is that it will be quickly forgotten. We'll scream about Beckman and Lasagna for decades, but Lovie Smith's tenure will just be a thing that happened and didn't really work.
