Yes, 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 the 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.”
At his introductory press conference, Smith squashed any and all doubts that he might coach elsewhere to wrap up his illustrious career. Read more at usatoday.com.
Lovie Smith spent nine seasons as the head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2004-2012 and 2014-2015 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Before taking over as Chicago's head coach, Smith spent three seasons with the St. Louis Rams as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (2003) and defensive coordinator (2001-02). Prior to his time in St. Louis, Smith spent four seasons tutoring linebackers in Tampa Bay as part of Tony Dungy's coaching staff, helping to create one of the league’s most dominant defenses of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Smith spent his first 14 years as a collegiate coach, working at Tulsa (1983-86), Wisconsin (1987), Arizona State (1988-91), Kentucky (1992), Tennessee (1993-94) and Ohio State (1995).
Tip View Lovie Smith coaching record at Pro-football-reference.com.