Illinois coach Lovie Smith has no time to waste in getting himself re-acclimated to the college game. It’s been 20 years since the NFL veteran head coach has worked on a college sideline, and the odd timing of his hire gives him a truncated window to get his program up and running.
Smith will be officially introduced as the Illini’s next coach Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. local time. Here’s a list of top priorities for the new coach after he finishes the opening press conference.
Fill out his staff: The biggest drawback to a spring hire for an incoming coach will be trying to find capable and available assistants to fill his staff.