When Lovie Smith was unexpectedly fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this NFL offseason, the immediate question became whether the Bucs already had Smith's hand-picked successor in-house and, if so, what that had meant for Smith's ability to actually succeed in his second stop as a head coach at the professional level. With Tampa Bay offensive coordinator - now head coach - Dirk Koetter landing the gig following Smith's ousting, it certainly looked a bit like Smith's tenure was only going to last as long as the Glazer Family thought it would take Koetter to become ready to take over.
Smith, capable though he has proven himself during stints leading the Chicago Bears and with the Bucs, now seems unlikely to land another NFL head coaching gig after his unceremonious ousting in Tampa.
So what's next for guy with 11 years as the top boss at the professional level on his resume? Taking over a big-time college program, it seems.
Smith, 57, is expected to take over the University of Illinois Fighting Illini football program. The news has not yet been confirmed by the university, but a plethora of signs seem to be pointing that direction.
For the Illini, recently-installed athletic director Josh Whitman left his mark on the program from the jump, removing Bill Cubit as Illini football's head coach. Cubit's son, offensive coordinator Ryan Cubit, was relieved of his duties as well.
Whitman met with players on the football team and, while he did not drop Smith's or any other name, did make it clear that there was a "plan in place."
If it is indeed Smith, the Illini will be enjoying the services of a man who has created some of the strongest, most consistent NFL defenses the league has seen in the past decade and a half.
Smith actually began his professional coaching career with the Bucs as a linebackers coach where, along with Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, developed his vaunted Tampa 2 defense. Smith got his first crack at running his own defense with the St. Louis Rams under Mike Martz, helping to guide the team to Super Bowl XXXVI.
Smith's first head coaching opportunity came with the Bears, where he spent nine seasons, amassing an 81-63-0 record. His 2006 group reached Super Bowl XLI, but Smith again tasted defeat in his second Lombardi fight, losing to the Indianapolis Colts.
After a year away from the game in 2013, Smith returned, joining the Bucs in the spot once held by Dungy. Unfortunately, Smith wasn't able to bring the kind of improvement the Glazer's or the fans in Tampa were hoping for, and though he had a strong relationship with quarterback Jameis Winston, was given his walking papers only a few short months ago.
Smith, should he come to Illinois, will bring a strong track record of success. And for those Illini fans worried over Smith's ability to adapt to and ultimately survive at the collegiate level, it sounds as though you may not need to be concerned.
Having spent 8 years with Lovie, don't underestimate his ability to recruit. He will be able to compete for the top kids.
— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) March 5, 2016
