Here are some of the top headlines from around the nation after Lovie Smith and the Fighting Illini's trip to the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.
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Lovie Smith and Illinois look like a perfect fit in the Big Ten
FOX Sports -- Aaron Torres
Forget Michigan and Ohio State, Illinois --- yes, Illinois --- may have had the best off-season in the Big Ten. Why a surprising hire of Lovie Smith is exactly what this stagnant program needed. READ MORE
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Lovie Smith's message to Illinois fans: 'Come back'
Chicago Tribune -- Shannon Ryan
Since his hiring as Illinois football coach in March, Lovie Smith has been on a campaign to sell the program and re-engage fans disillusioned by the years of losing. "You are an ambassador for the university. And why wouldn't you want to be?" the former Bears coach said Tuesday at his first Big Ten media days at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. READ MORE
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Reviving Illini: Lovie Smith giving it old college try
Chicago Sun-Times -- Herb Gould
Feeling it's safe to return, Illini Nation has been embracing the hope emanating from Smith and new athletic director Josh Whitman. "Absolutely,'' Smith said. "Every function we've been to, and we've been to a lot, has been that way. It's `Coach, what do we need to do?' The message is, `Come back.' Don't worry about what's happened in the past. It's about today.''Â READ MORE
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Lovie Smith's steady hand is just what Illinois football needs
Chicago Tribune -- Mike Clark
When Lovie Smith was hired as Illinois' football coach in March, he did the usual introductory tour around Illini Nation. The No. 1 thing he heard, Smith said Tuesday during Big Ten media days in Chicago, was how proud the alumni were of their school. READ MORE
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Illinois football players embrace changes Lovie Smith brings
Quad City Times -- Steve Batterson
One thing hasn't changed over the years for Lovie Smith. That sense of excitement and anticipation is still there for the new Illinois football coach. READ MORE
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Vaughn knows a big Illini work load awaits
Herald & Review -- Mark Tupper
Until this week, sophomore running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn didn't own a clothing ensemble worthy of his formal introduction as a key member of the University of Illinois football team. By Tuesday, though, he looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ in his new black suit, white shirt and dark blue tie, the one he picked up at Men's Warehouse on his way out of Champaign Monday morning. It was important for Vaughn to look the part of a young man coach Lovie Smith has already designated as one of his "go-to" guys in this very important Illini season. READ MORE
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Big Ten Media Days wrap
News-Gazette -- Matt Daniels
A chronological rundown of the Illini's Big Ten Media Days. READ MORE
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A lot can change in one year
Daily Illini -- Kevin McCarthy
What a difference a year makes. The program has done a complete one-eighty. Headlines surrounding Illini football after Big Ten Media Days were actually about football—and that's a refreshing change of pace. The podium was buzzing with Illini talk, culminating with Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany echoing Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer's sentiment, saying it's "great" to see Lovie Smith at Illinois. READ MORE
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What other coaches and players said about Lovie Smith
Daily Illini -- Joey Figueroa
Quotes about Lovie Smith from around the Big Ten. READ MORE
