So Josh Whitman did have his next coach in mind when he fired Bill Cubit just days before the Illini opened spring practice.
The new Illini athletic director posted photos of him and Lovie Smith on Twitter on Monday morning, signifying a new era at Illinois.
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) March 7, 2016
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) March 7, 2016
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Smith spent the past 11 seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bears (nine seasons) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the last two seasons).