After 5 seasons as the Head Coach at the University of Illinois, Lovie Smith was fired yesterday by Athletic Director Josh Whitman. Brian Barnhart is the Play by Play voice for the Fighting Illini and he said that he wasn’t surprised by Whitman’s decision.

It’s all about winning football games, according to Barnhart, and while Coach Smith is a great human being and tremendous mentor he struggled to do that. 

Barnhart isn’t sure what type of coach Whitman will target.

Barnhart believes that the Illini are a good coach away from taking the program to the  next step. 

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