Nobody understands what Lovie Smith is trying to pull off at Illinois better than Dave Wannstedt.
The 60-year-old Smith and the 66-year-old Wannstedt share two life experiences.
First, they are both among the 16 (Matt Nagy is the latest) who have been in charge of the historic Chicago Bears. Second, they both went from pro football back to college.
Smith moved from the Bears and Bucs to Illinois. Wannstedt went from the Bears and Dolphins to his alma mater, Pitt.
For Wannstedt, going back to school was a blast. Eventually.
The Panthers were so-so his first three years, finishing 16-19 and missing out on bowl games.