UI football coaching debuts since 1913

UI Football Practice 8/21/16» moreLovie Smith will soon become the 14th coach in the last century to make his debut at Illinois. The former NFL coach can be found roaming the Memorial Stadium sidelines for the first time Saturday, when Murray State visits. Here’s how the previous 13 fared in their Orange and Blue coaching debuts:

Bill Cubit, 2015: Eight days after assuming the interim title after the abrupt firing of Tim Beckman, Cubit guided Illinois to a 52-3 rout of Kent State in Champaign. The 52 points represented a season-high as Illinois went on to finish 5-7.

Tim Beckman, 2012: The former Toledo coach recorded one of his 12 victories at Illinois with a 24-7 triumph against Western…