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Illinois Football: Illini hire Arizona co-offensive coordinator Rod Smith

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Memorial Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Illinois football team is no longer without an offensive coordinator.

It was just officially announced that Arizona Wildcats Co-Offensive Coordinator Rod Smith has accepted the job and will become the new Illini offensive play caller and quarterbacks coach. This is a big hire for Lovie Smith and the Illini considering the track record Smith brings to the table.

Smith has been with the Wildcats since the 2012 season. He has done wonders with their offense since arriving. The year before Smith was hired, Arizona averaged 29.8 points per game. The first year he was the offensive coordinator, the team averaged 36.7 PPG. They have averaged over 33 PPG in five of the six seasons he was calling plays.

There have been some talented quarterbacks Smith has mentored as well. He was the quarterbacks coach for Denard Robinson at Michigan. Robinson turned into a solid passer of the ball under Smith and was a great runner. This is what I am hoping the Illini quarterbacks turn into.

Smith also had a hand in coaching West Virginia star Pat White when he was the quarterbacks coach there as well. White was on the same path as Robinson. He turned into a good passer and was an incredible running quarterback. In the lone season under Smith, White rushed for 1335 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Illinois is now getting a great offensive coordinator with a blank slate. He has a good quarterback in Cam Thomas already on the roster. I am sure he will help develop him this spring in case he is needed as the starter in 2018. Smith also has MJ Rivers coming in from the class of 2018. Rivers was supposed to take his official visit this weekend but decided to push it back to next weekend. I assume this has to do with meeting the new offensive coordinator.

The Illini offense received even more good news on Thursday as well. Jeremy Werner reported that Coran Taylor is still fully committed to Illinois. This is amazing considering he is another dual-threat quarterback who could do wonders in the Big Ten.

Next: 5 impact freshmen year one for the Illini

I am excited about the hire of Smith. He brings a great resume of working with dual-threat quarterbacks to Champaign. That is what Illinois has on the roster. The future is bright with this program.

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