Illinois Sports: 5 Goals Over the Next Three Years

Illini Football Hits 8 Win Mark

Over the last four seasons, Illinois football has been quite depressing.  They have dealt with losing, weak recruiting, and coaching turmoil.

Illinois Fighting Illini

In the past year, the Illini have had three different head coaches, but all good things come to those who wait.

Once Mike Thomas was fired in the fall of 2015, it was only a matter of time before the house was cleaned.

Illinois hired Josh Whitman as their new athletic director and he subsequently hired his own head coach to lead the football team.  Enter Lovie Smith.

Lovie is now the leader of the football team and he has already made an impact.  He is recruiting well so far and I expect his coaching ability to be better than the coaches in the past.

Illinois had a talented team last year that fell short of the six-win mark and the goal of a bowl game.  But, most of those players are returning and the Illini are adding some good recruits from the class of 2016.

I don’t expect the Illini to win eight games this year, but in the next three years, it is a goal I think Lovie and the coaching staff can achieve.

With great recruiting and amazing coaching, there is no telling how well this team can play and how many games they can win.

Next: Goal No. 3