CHAMPAIGN — The guy put in charge of the Illinois offense made some new friends Monday night.
Rod Smith, hired by Lovie Smith on Jan. 19, was the guest on "The News-Gazette Sports Page" at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign.
The former co-offensive coordinator at Arizona and a longtime aide to Rich Rodriguez, Smith shared his philosophy — "I think you win championships by establishing the line of scrimmage" — and his disdain for a Big Ten rival — "went to Michigan, don't want to talk about that place."
After his turn on the radio, Smith was heading back to the Illinois campus to meet with some of his players, including quarterback Cam Thomas.