Does Lovie Smith at Illinois = Jon gruden at Tennessee ?

Lovie smith doesnt have the personality gruden does. Gruden is more of a ceo/marketing hire. Get him some great coordinators, and things would be interesting.

He'll troll saban like no other could. On the field be giving him his chuckie stare from across the field, and on the recruiting trail. Gruden would pull attention away from saban, and he'd hate it. For all this alone the sec needs chuckie at UT. Ha. Other than that him alone as a coach he'd be a meh hire.

We'll never know.

No. I think Tennessee fans believe their program is better than what it actually is, but the University of Illinois is fricked beyond athletics. The Chambana area and more specifically, the University itself has had quite a few issues in the national spotlight the last few years that has honestly hurt them. Also the state is not a talent rich producing state. Most talent is either from Chicago area or Stl suburbs.

Lovie was a big name hire after Beckman (iirc) to cover the hazing and issues within the athletic department. Gruden however is the type of guy if he does accept a college position, he would be all in and probably have quite a few big names on his staff. With the budget issues in Illinois it blows my mind that Lovie was given that type of money.