Illinois completed the season with a 3-9 record overall and a 2-7 mark in Big Ten play after the 42-21 loss to Northwestern Saturday in Evanston.

Lovie Smith and his staff will now roll up their sleeves and get to work on the recruiting trail.

The recruiting contact period opens on Sunday. The Illini staff will make whirlwind trips to try to close on some top targets before the dead period begins on December 12.

CHAMPAIGN – Well, that wasn’t much fun, but what did anyone expect out of Illinois football this fall.

For all of the name recognition and buzz created around the hiring of Lovie Smith as the Illini coach, there was the reality that he would trudge through the first season, decipher what he has in the program, then get to work on the rebuilding process through recruiting.

Let’s be realistic. If a 6-6 record was an over-the-top expectation for a program that’s gone through so much turmoil with the dismissal of Tim Beckman, the hiring and firing of Bill Cubit as head coach and the allegations of player mistreatment, then what was the realistic expectation for 2016?

Three wins? Four wins? Five wins?

So the Illini completed the season with a 3-9 record overall and a 2-7 mark in Big Ten play after the 42-21 loss to Northwestern Saturday in Evanston. Essentially, it’s just a part of the systematic rebuilding of the Illini. Moving up the Big Ten Conference ladder is more about what happens in the next few months leading up to signing day in February than what happened in the first few months on the job for Lovie.

Four months into it, Lovie just might admit this is much more work than he expected. Then again, he probably wouldn’t fess up. But this is an overhaul just like the rest of them. The Zooker did it by recruiting nationally. Ron Turner did it by plucking the best players in the state and working hard in St. Louis, and John Mackovic and Mike White lifted the Illini up decades ago.

Turner was 0-11 in his first year, then led the Illini to the Sugar Bowl. The Zooker won four games in his first two years, then led his team to the Rose Bowl in his third year on the job.

So it’s no real surprise that Lovie arrived on campus, tried to play catch up with a late spring practice season, then dived into fall camp and the regular season while still trying to determine just what hand he was dealt.

He’s reached the point in the process where it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get to work full-time on the recruiting trail. The only way to rebuild a program is by stockpiling the talent. It takes hard work, continuity of staff, connections and persistent hard work.

This is why you get paid $20 million-plus. The Illini had three things on the to-do list during the regular season. Illinois pretty much won the games it was supposed to win. The Purdue loss was one that got away, but the Illini bounced back by beating Michigan State. The Illini weren’t able to stay competitive with the powerhouses. Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa all rolled over the Illini.

And in the process of that first season, Lovie and his staff were evaluating talent and determining what they need to prioritize this winter.

Of course, the big question is if a coaching staff heavy on NFL experience still has the contacts in the cell phone and the drive to hunt down talent. The head coach hasn’t been a recruiter since 1995, when cell phones were as big as your shoe. ESPN published a story this fall about Lovie’s unhappiness in Champaign. For sure, opposing recruiters will be working that angle against the Illini.

Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee has a reputation as a super recruiter who goes after the big timers, but defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson is a rookie at this recruiting thing. Assistants Mike Phair, Bob Ligashesky and Andrew Hayes-Stoker have much more experience in the NFL than college football. Luke Butkus has college experience, like assistants Tom McGarigle, Thad Ward and Paul Williams.

Will Lovie make any changes on his own? That shouldn’t be a surprise. But Lovie is all about additions to the program.

After a solid start in recruiting, the Illini are waiting on decisions from a group of upper tier recruits. There’s a solid core of recruits who like Illinois and Lovie, but it’s still about getting a commitment. The Illini had three official visits during the weekend against Iowa, and Illinois coaches will hit the road for an eight-day run after the Northwestern game.

On offense, it’s likely the Illini search for a fifth-year transfer at quarterback. Chayce Crouch and Jeff George Jr. didn’t look like starting quarterbacks this fall. McGee probably has an idea hidden up his sleeve, somebody he’s already identified but can’t mention yet.

St. Louis offensive tackle Larry Boyd is an impact player next fall who has already committed.

On defense, the Illini would like to sign four defensive ends (only one commitment so far) and need to load up on cornerbacks, including a player who could start opposite Jaylen Dunlap.

Heading into his second year, there remains the possibility of a big step back for Lovie and the Illini because of losses at key positions. Assuredly, there were some surprises during a limited youth movement. Running back Kendrick Foster was the roster’s biggest mover, going from a player who declared his desire to transfer to the lead running back. There was help along the defensive line from Kenyon Jackson and Jamal Milan, and linebackers Jake Hansen and Dele’ Harding worked their way into key playing time. Safeties Patrick Nelson and Stanley Green look like future stars after playing their way up the two-deep this fall.

The future depends more on what Lovie and his staff do over the next few months than what happened over the last few months. It’s time to upgrade the talent. It’s time to roll up the sleeves and get to work on the recruiting trail, where the victories there would lead to more on the field. Lovie and his staff of former NFL assistants face the unique challenge of college football.

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.