CHAMPAIGN — Lovie Smith didn’t feel nerves or jitters.
None of those emotions were on display from the new Illinois football coach Friday night under the lights at Memorial Stadium, with Smith coaching for the first time in the college ranks since 1995.
“There’s excitement (and anticipation),” Smith said. “That’s all behind us now. Once you get that first day under your belt, then you take off from there.”
Smith doesn’t have much time to reflect on his first practice. The Illini are back at it at 1 p.m. today.
Wearing a white Illinois pullover, white Illinois hat and navy blue track pants, Smith was easy to spot amid his nine assistant coaches on the Memorial Stadium turf.