Ex-Illini try to wow NFL brass

CHAMPAIGN — Lovie Smith did not show his face Thursday inside the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility while 16 former Illinois football players went through the paces of pro day.

But Luke Butkus was walking around, sporting a bushy brown beard and a navy blue Illinois pullover hours before Illinois officially announced the hiring of Smith’s first assistant coach.

The new Illinois coach has reportedly filled several assistant coaching spots, yet Butkus is the first official one, with Butkus set to coach the Illini offensive line in 2016. The former Illinois offensive lineman, who is the nephew of former Illinois and Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus, is back for his second coaching stint at his alma…