CHAMPAIGN — Lovie Smith didn’t have to search for a new tie before Monday arrived.
The orange and blue colors he’ll predominantly wear now that he is the 25th football coach in Illinois history are familiar to the 57-year-old.
“My wardrobe is set up,” Smith said. “Thankfully, George Halas had a plan with the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears having the same colors.”
Decked out in a navy blue suit, a white shirt and an orange and blue tie, Smith delivered a vision of the future, while harkening the past (Halas) and setting a new standard for the present (a jam-packed Hall of Fame Room at the Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building), for Illinois football on Monday afternoon when he was introduced at Bielfeldt.