Media Days: Illini look for progress in Lovie Smith's second year

CHAMPAIGN – Illini football is, well, Illini football. The numbers don’t lie. After last year, that’s six consecutive losing seasons in Big Ten Conference play. That’s a school record for bad football.

Coach Lovie Smith was reminded of the uphill battle Illinois football faced well before he hit town as The Next Big Thing. When it’s been roughly 30 years since the hey days of Mike White, Memorial Stadium sellouts, a gunslinger known as Jeff George and a time when it felt like the Illini were truly relevant, Lovie reminded the Big Ten Network crew during some preseason made-for-TV media day coverage that he’s got only one of those losing seasons pinned to his name.

“The way we look at it, you listed a long stretch, but we have one losing season,’’ Lovie said. “We didn’t get enough accomplished last year. You have to have a starting spot.’’

Illini football was a dumpster fire when Lovie arrived. Tim Beckman left in a scandal that also engulfed the AD who hired him, Mike Thomas. Few people around the football complex miss either one of them. After newly hired AD Josh Whitman moved forward quickly with hiring Lovie and cutting short on an experiment with Bill Cubit, Lovie had little time in preparing for the first season.

It didn’t go as well as hoped, because some of these issues are bigger than Beckman and Thomas, tougher than Ron Zook, Ron Turner, Lou Tepper and even John Mackovic could fix over the long haul.

Lovie couldn’t fix them in an abbreviated few months jammed with a late spring practice season, a couple months of summer conditioning and preseason camp. But what Lovie and his staff wanted to do during a 3-9 season overall that included a 2-6 mark in the Big Ten is set the tone for the future. It was about laying the groundwork, building a culture and getting the recruiting cycle working.

Twelve months ago, he probably didn’t even know their names heading into preseason camp.

“What a difference a year makes,’’ Lovie said. “Last year at this time, I knew a few of the players, thought we knew what their roles would be. I feel like we have that down now. We had a year to work with the players off the field to really establish how we’re going to win football games.’’

It’s preseason, when every team grasps for hope. It’s the time of the year when optimism comes from those workouts, where players expect to translate the sweat equity into wins, bowl games and fame. Illinois is no different, except it’s not been easy for the Illini over the past decade.

This is no easy fix, but the Illini unveiled plans for a facility upgrade to help in the arms race known as college football recruiting. Lovie also planned to build on gains in the weight room, more experience in a new system for the Illini and a boost from recruiting.

In the process, the Illini also learned about Lovie, who earned their respect by treating them as men in a consistent and calm yet stern approach that earned their respect.

Will it translate into more wins this year or next? That’s unknown, but the Illini step into the second season under Lovie knowing what to expect a bit more.

“It comes with the second year of the program,’’ said Illini offensive tackle Christian DiLauro. “We have a foundation of what’s expected of us. Offensively, we have a better understanding the playbook. Defensively, they have a better understanding of their schemes. It’s more about executing better. Instead of going out there and thinking, we can go out there and react.’’

While less is expected out of the Illini and Lovie this season because of the prolonged search for playmakers on offense and key losses at defensive line, Illinois proclaimed improvement by laying a foundation for the future.

Once again, the Illini invested millions into the infrastructure, going with an $80 million Football Performance Center, where the Illini will rebuild the football complex structure to improve, among the grand plan, the coaches offices, player lounges and weight room. The Illini lagged behind its competition, Lovie said, and Illinois needed to make a commitment to allow recruiters a fighting chance in what Lovie referred as the Camp Tour, where top prospects visit schools and check out the facilities.

“They will see our facilities are as good as everyone else’s,’’ Lovie said. “That should help a lot. Coaches offices, training room, player lounge. All of the things everyone else has, the University of Illinois will eventually have. We already have great academics, but we were behind with our facilities. People can’t use that against us (in the future).’’

The Illini already have made gains in the weight room, such as a key to football, according to Lovie. A year ago, the Illini only had three players who could squat more than 500 pounds. Now, Illinois has 20 plus.

Unlike past season, when no one really knew how much the roster respected the coach, these Illini appear to fall behind Lovie, a former NFL head coach and assistant who won and lost in separate Super Bowl appearances.

“He has a calm demeanor,’’ said Illini wide receiver Malik Turner. “He’s consistent in how he teaches and talks to you.’’

DiLauro agreed.

“It’s the way he treats us as men,’’ he said. “If you’re going down the wrong path, he’ll pull you aside one on one, like a grown man. He’ll give you that kind of conversation. We haven’t had that much in the past.’’

This isn’t rocket science. It’s football. The Illini aren’t reinventing the game. They’re just trying to build a foundation for future success, and at this time of the year, programs everywhere are looking for hope. The Illini apparently have found it with Lovie, who is just glad he knows a few more names on the roster while laying the groundwork toward the future.

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.