Some subscribes have asked about his. There's been talk about adding Scheelhaase as on-the-field assistant, etc.
For Illinois, I think more needs to go into it than just hiring a 10th assistant. I think they need to shuffle things around a bit.
Here's how I think it should shake out in terms of position coaches, with the current coach listed.
Head coach – Lovie Smith
1. Offensive coordinator – (Garrick McGee)
2. Quarterbacks - (Garrick McGee)
3. Offensive line - (Luke Butkus)
4. Running backs (Thad Ward)
5. Wide receivers - (Andrew Hayes-Stoker)
6. Tight ends / Special teams - (Bob Ligashesky)
7. Defensive coordinator - (Hardy Nickerson)
8. Defensive line - (Mike Phair)
9. Linebackers - (Hardy Nickerson)
10. Defensive backs - (Donnie Abraham / Paul Williams)
* Hire a linebackers coach and quarterbacks coach. I would like to see someone on the staff with connections on the east coast. That's a dead area for Illinois right now, and there's a ton of talent out there. DC, Virginia Beach, etc. Scheelhaase can coach QB's if that's the hire they want to make. I think he would add something to the in-state & regional recruiting efforts.
* Make a decision on Abraham or Williams. I always hate to say a guy has to go, but it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me to have two DB coaches. Williams has more experience as a position coach, but you figure Abraham can recruit with his Florida / IMG connections.
For Illinois, I think more needs to go into it than just hiring a 10th assistant. I think they need to shuffle things around a bit.
Here's how I think it should shake out in terms of position coaches, with the current coach listed.
Head coach – Lovie Smith
1. Offensive coordinator – (Garrick McGee)
2. Quarterbacks - (Garrick McGee)
3. Offensive line - (Luke Butkus)
4. Running backs (Thad Ward)
5. Wide receivers - (Andrew Hayes-Stoker)
6. Tight ends / Special teams - (Bob Ligashesky)
7. Defensive coordinator - (Hardy Nickerson)
8. Defensive line - (Mike Phair)
9. Linebackers - (Hardy Nickerson)
10. Defensive backs - (Donnie Abraham / Paul Williams)
* Hire a linebackers coach and quarterbacks coach. I would like to see someone on the staff with connections on the east coast. That's a dead area for Illinois right now, and there's a ton of talent out there. DC, Virginia Beach, etc. Scheelhaase can coach QB's if that's the hire they want to make. I think he would add something to the in-state & regional recruiting efforts.
* Make a decision on Abraham or Williams. I always hate to say a guy has to go, but it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me to have two DB coaches. Williams has more experience as a position coach, but you figure Abraham can recruit with his Florida / IMG connections.
