Illinois made the hiring of former NFL coach Lovie Smith official.
New Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman announced Smith’s hiring in a news release on Monday, minutes after Whitman hinted at Smith’s addition with two photos he posted on Twitter.
“I am extremely excited to be named head coach of the Fighting Illini,” Smith said in the statement. “Josh approached me about this possibility and I immediately seized on the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the young men who are part of the program today and in the future.”
Smith hasn’t coached in college since he was an assistant at Ohio State in 1995.