The first Big Ten domino has fallen.
Well-liked and highly respected veteran football coach Lovie Smith is out at Illinois, just a year after a bit of a breakthrough-season for Smith atop the program when he knocked off top-10 Wisconsin and guided the Illini to a bowl berth.
Yet Illinois never generated any lasting momentum from its mid-season turnaround in 2019, when the win against then-No. 6 Wisconsin was part of the program's four-game winning streak.
After losing its final three games a year ago, Illinois is just 2-5 this season in the Big Ten's abbreviated, league-only play; Smith's group owns back-to-back wins last month against Rutgers and Nebraska.
Where can Illinois turn?
“That's a decent job, not a great job; but it should be a lot better than it is,” a veteran college coach with experience in multiple Power-5 conferences told FootballScoop.com on Sunday morning.
Here's an early look at names to watch in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois:
Jeff Monken, Army head coach. A Peoria, Illinois native, the 53-year-old Monken has been a winner at every stop – and he just helped Army post its fourth win in five years against rival Navy on Saturday. The Black Knights, amidst this crazed COVID-19 pandemic season, are 8-2 with just losses this year to undefeated Cincinnati and Tulane. A year ago Monken's Army squad took then-top-10 Michigan to overtime in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before losing by a field goal; in 2018, Monken led Army to a spectacular 11-win season.
His proven track record of consistent success, deep-rooted ties in the state of Illinois and his disciplined approach all make Monken a keen candidate for the Illinois job. His father, Mike, and brother, Tom, also have deep ties in Illinois with stints as high school football coaches in the state.
Lance Leipold, Buffalo. The dude can flat-out coach and absolutely just flat-out wins ballgames. His six NCAA D-III national championships at Wisconsin-Whitewater make Leipold a household name across much of the Midwest, but his work now with Buffalo is perhaps even stronger. The Bulls are undefeated as they roar towards the MAC championship bout and Leipold is the architect of that program's resurgence.
Bret Bielema, NY Giants OLB coach. Yet another Illinois native, Bielema is from Prophetstown, Bielema owns previous success in the Big Ten during his time atop Wisconsin that included Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. Bielema already was in the mix this coaching cycle at Southern Miss but opted at that time to remain an NFL assistant. His teams always play with great physicality and a rugged, hard-hitting approach. Bielema is a blue-collar coach who has in the past shown a knack for success as an underdog.
Jim McElwain, Central Michigan. McElwain has been a stabilizing force as a head coach at Colorado State and Florida, and a year ago in his first atop the Central Michigan program, McElwain took the Chippewas to the postseason as well as an appearance in the MAC Championship Game amidst an eight-win campaign. McElwain also had great success as an offensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama, and, oh by the way, McElwain is the coach responsible for Kyle Trask now being a Florida Gators sensation. It's McElwain who discovered Trask in the Texas high school ranks.
Barry Odom, Arkansas defensive coordinator. In addition to his primary role as defensive coordinator, Odom is first-year Arkansas coach Sam Pittman's assistant head coach and served in the lead chair earlier this season when Pittman was forced to miss time due to COVID-19. Odom had solid success in a short run at Missouri, his alma mater, and, aside from a brutal showing Saturday against top-ranked Alabama, Odom's undermanned defense largely has been a bright spot this season for the Razorbacks.
Former Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson has continued to receive accolades for his work as Ohio State's offensive coordinator. Wilson would bring a skilled offensive game plan to the table.
Kent State head coach Sean Lewis should merit consideration. Many in the profession believe his star will shine bright for a long time.
Several other coaches would love to get involved. Illinois AD Josh Whitman has a history of making unexpected hires. As this one moves we'll continue to keep you posted.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest coaching news.