Four downs: New Illini linebackers coach Miles Smith

Miles Smith, Lovie Smith's son, officially joined the staff as the team's new linebackers coach Wednesday.Illinois football beat writer Bob Asmussen chatted with new Illini linebackers coach Miles Smith, who officially joined the staff Wednesday. Lovie Smith's son thinks the defense can improve in a hurry. "We have a chance to completely turn around what our product was last year with the additions we have and maybe switching some guys around to different positions. We just wants athletes. Our athletic play is going to be exponentially better this year." Smith originally joined the Illini as a graduate assistant working with the defense, but was promoted to the full-time staff after the unexpected training camp departure of Donnie Abraham.

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