Imrem: How soon before Illini fans grow weary of Lovie Smith?
OK, let the sparks start flying in Champaign now that Lovie Smith indeed has been named head football coach.
Smith was condescending toward the big-city media when he coached the Bears.
So how will he try to control the Central Illinois media?
Smith finagled power from veteran NFL personnel man/Bears general manager Jerry Angelo.
So what will he do to young Fighting Illini athletic director Josh Whitman?
Smith wasn't exactly warm, fuzzy and huggable with Bears fans.
So how will he schmooz college boosters who like being acknowledged and backslapped?
It won't take long for Illini supporters to grow weary when Smith's first words after each battering is a slow-drawl, "Disappointing loss."
Winning will smooth and soothe frayed nerve ends, of course, if winning is possible at Illinois with or without Lovie Smith.
In one respect this certainly is a positive hire: Illinois finally has its first black head coach in football or men's basketball.
In another respect, Lovie Smith is risky after not coaching on the collegiate level in two decades.
Will Smith - not the actor - be able to woo teenagers again? Will his outdated Tampa-2 defense appeal to collegians? Will he be able to generate offense better than he did in the NFL?
Illinois isn't the country's best football job. Smith isn't the country's most desirable football coach. They might have been destined for each other.
Whitman: "Mr. Smith, we need a head coach?"
Smith: "Oh, what the heck, why not?"
The impression is that Ron Turner brought the parties together.
Turner was Illinois head coach when Whitman was an Illini tight end. Turner was the Bears' offensive coordinator when Smith was their head coach.
Mr. Whitman, meet Mr. Smith.
As a first-time athletic director on the Division I level, Whitman might not have had much choice but to latch on to the obvious.
After being fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, Smith might not have had other options if he wanted to be a head coach again.
For decades the impression has been that Illinois doesn't have what it takes to ever be an elite Big Ten football program.
That premise might be false today with the conference split into divisions and the Illini away from Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State.
Illinois should be able to compete with the Iowas and Wisconsins, Nebraskas and Northwesterns.
First, though, Smith will have to prove he can recruit players that fit him, his systems and his personality.
The process of courting youngsters notwithstanding, it's easier to be a head coach in college than the pros.
One of the best-kept secrets is how hard NFL coaches work, how long their hours are and how year-round the demands have become.
Moving down a level shouldn't be a problem for Lovie Smith.
Maybe it was only a matter of time before a former Bears head coach filled the same position for Illinois.
After all, Bears founder George Halas was an Illinois alum and both teams wear orange and blue.
Illinois fans have to hope this relationship with the Bears goes only so far: Please, no Marc Trestman as offensive coordinator.
Boy, that would really start the sparks flying down in Champaign.
mimrem@dailyherald.com
The Lovie Smith file
Here is a glance at Lovie Smith's coaching history, which includes stop at six universities before he joined the NFL ranks:
2016: Illinois, Head Coach
2014-15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach (8-24 record)
2004-12: Chicago Bears, Head Coach (81-63)
2003: St. Louis Rams, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
2001-02: St. Louis Rams, Defensive Coordinator
1996-2000: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Linebackers
1995: Ohio State, Defensive Backs
1993-94: Tennessee, Defensive Backs
1992: Kentucky, Linebackers
1988-1991: Arizona State, Linebackers
1987: Wisconsin, Linebackers
1983-86: Tulsa, Linebackers
1981-82: Cascia Hall Prep High School (Tulsa, OK), Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs/Wide Receivers
1980:Big Sandy High School (Big Sandy, Texas), Defensive Coordinator
Source: Illinois Athletics
Past 10 Illini Football head coaches
Lovie Smith becomes the 25th head coach in the history of Illini football. Here's how the most recent coaches have fared:
Bill Cubit* (2015): 2-5-0 Big Ten; 5-6-0 overall
Tim Beckman (2012-2014): 4-20-0 Big Ten; 12-25-0 overall
Ron Zook** (2005-2011): 18-38-0 Big Ten; 34-51-0 overall
Ron Turner (1997-2004): 20-44-0 Big Ten; 35-57-0 overall
Lou Tepper (1991-1996): 17-21-2 Big Ten; 25-31-2 overall
John Mackovic (1988-1991): 22-9-1 Big Ten; 30-16-1 overall
Mike White (1980-1987): 40-26-2 Big Ten; 47-41-3 overall
Gary Moeller (1977-1979): 3-18-3 Big Ten; 6-24-3 overall
Bob Blackman (1971-1976): 24-23-1 Big Ten; 29-36-1 overall
Jim Valek (1967-1970): 5-23-0 Big Ten; 8-32-0 overall
Note: * Denotes Cubit was interim coach for 2015 season before being named head coach; ** Zook was fired before bowl game and Vic Koenning was interim coach for that 2011 bowl game.