Big Ten Media Days: Don't forget Lovie
CHICAGO – The welcome mat has been rolled out, courtesy of Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald.
During the opening session of the Big Ten Conference media days on Monday, Fitzgerald showed a little bit of hospitality to the league’s new coaches.
“Excited and want to welcome Chris and DJ and Tracy to the Big Ten head coach's fraternity to Rutgers, Maryland and Minnesota, respectively,’’ he said.
Hmmm. No mention of Lovie Smith, the big offseason move by Illini athletics during the offseason. Now, everyone could work a spin and say that’s a cheap shot from “the program up north.’’ Yes, he mentioned Chris Ash of Rutgers, D.J. Durkin of Maryland and Tracy Claeys of Minnesota. But let’s give Fitzy a break. He can’t wait for the season to begin after Northwestern posted a 10-win season. There are plenty of topics in a league loaded in the East and watching the intensity grow between the league’s two powers -- Michigan and Ohio State.
Smith is an old friend of Fitzgerald and regarded as a great defensive mind. His hiring provided some hope for future success in football. With basketball slip sliding, Smith is the best thing going to Illinois fans.
No big deal. Lovie is anything but a rookie, so he needs no introduction by Fitzgerald.
Of course, everyone outside Illini Nation is asking about Smith’s sincerity to college coaching and his long-term plan while also asking if he will invest the time and energy into recruiting. It’s just another topic in Big Ten football. While Illini fans wonder how Smith will transition to the Tampa 2 defense with Illinois and what impact Hardy Nickerson Jr. can make playing under his father, Illini football is still Illini football.
Smith can change the narrative by being Lovie, and his arrival brings with it some instant respectability. Otherwise, Big Ten football is more interested in, say, Jim Harbaugh, wo has already stolen much of the interest in the preseason with his antics on social media after an active summer satellite camp tour, not to mention his rap video. The rivalry between Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State lifts the Big East perhaps to the best division in college football.
One thing we all know. Michigan is back. That didn’t take long under Harbaugh. Take a spin around the preseason picks. You’ll find Michigan in the hunt for the national title.
There’s a swagger in Ann Arbor and plenty of high expectations in a rebuild that was faster than you can say, Brady Hoke.
“I’ll address it with our players, our staff, the same way I think of it,’’ Harbaugh said. “We have big hopes. We’ve got big dreams. We’ve got lofty goals. And all those are achievable.
“You can accomplish anything if the work is realized, and those things have to be earned. So we are in the position right now to work to get the things we want. That’s the fact.’’
Of course, Penn State is still trying to tackle the Sandusky issue, which rose again earlier this month, as much as tackling a turnaround under coach James Franklin. That makes for some tricky conversations on the recruiting trail.
“It's kind of a unique situation, because you're having conversations about things that you, your staff, your players have nothing to do with and happened over 40 years ago,’’ he said. “You just want to make sure that you have open lines of communication, that you're as transparent as you possibly can be. You get on the phone and reach out to people, answer questions and be open and honest and truthful.
“Like anything in life, people just want to understand, and they want to make sure that they understand what the future holds and the direction. That's what we have to do.’’
In the Big Ten West, Northwestern is considered a title contender, even if it can’t be found in most preseason top 25 picks. The Wildcats took advantage of close games last season, winning a string of close games. The three losses weren’t close. Northwestern was dominated by Michigan, Iowa and Tennessee.
“Our three losses a year ago we got dominated at the line of scrimmage,’’ Fitzgerald said. “We've got to improve our strength up front to take the next steps to where we want to go to put ourselves into position to compete to be in Indianapolis and to be in that type of conversation.’’
Claeys, Ash and Durkin are newbies in a way that Lovie isn’t. Smith has experience in front of the bright lights, and he won’t stumble under pressure. Illinois has a long way to go, but there’s confidence with Smith, whose calm demeanor and experience as a Super Bowl coach guide a struggling program and turn heads on the recruiting trail.
When Lovie makes his appearance during the Big Ten’s second day of interviews on Tuesday, there’s no flinching for Illini public relations operatives. Smith will project hope for the future without producing gaffes that rewind the Illini to the past.
Claeys took over midway through last season for Jerry Kill, who was forced to step down with health issues. Durkin is a former Michigan defensive coordinator, and Rutgers begs for respect in a crowded metropolitan scene loaded with the Bronx Bombers, Carmelo, two NFL franchises and the bright lights of a city that never sleeps.
“I truly believe the Big Ten brand and football is at an all-time high right now,’’ Ash said. “I'm excited to be a part of it, and I know Rutgers and New Jersey are excited to be a part of it, too.’’
The coach on the hottest seat is Purdue’s Darrell Hazell. The question concerning the Boilermakers is if he coaches a fifth year in West Lafayette, because there are seemingly always new coaches to welcome to the league.
Illinois is proud of its hire. When Big Ten football officially began with the first of two media days Monday, Harbaugh stole the show and there was little talk about Lovie. No problem. After the mess left behind by former Illini coach Tim Beckman and fired athletic director Mike Thomas, there’s plenty of work to be done.
That’s fine. It will take some time for the Illini to work their way into the conversation, even after Lovie returns to Chicago for media days.
John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.
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