The spring evaluation period is well underway around the nation, but the major college football news from across the country this past week had more to do with some significant coaching announcements rather than player developments. The biggest college football news of the week had Illinois swapping head coaches with the addition of a respected former NFL head coach only shortly after the man he replaced was fired. Here is a recap of the biggest college football news and notes from around the college football world this past week.
Lovie Smith Hired As Illinois Head Coach
The Illinois Fighting Illini have been in the college football news for coaching decisions plenty over the last year. They made a gutsy move when they hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears’ head coach Lovie Smith as their head coach over the weekend. Athletic director Josh Whitman, who fired Bill Cubit as head coach only hours into his new role, didn’t waste any time making the tough decision and showing that he is willing to do whatever it takes to build a winner. Illinois has been one of the biggest messes in terms of football programs these days as they fired head coach Tim Beckman one week prior to the start of the 2015 football season and now they are firing his replacement very late into the offseason.
However, Smith is a respected NFL coach that posted an 81-63 overall record that included a trip to the Super in 2006-07. Illinois is coming off a 5-7 season under Cubit and Smith’s addition brings instant credibility to a program in desperate need of it.
LSU Tigers Extend Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron
In other college football news, LSU gave offensive coordinator Cam Cameron a three-year contract extension to remain on as their offensive coordinator. Cameron, whose contract was set to expire in March, has been in that role for the Tigers for last three years. The decision came at a time where a lot appears to be in flux for the LSU football program, even after they decided not to fire Les Miles as head coach following another disappointing season. Dameyune Craig was hired away from Auburn as a wide receivers coach despite the fact that his focus at Florida State was on developing notable quarterbacks such as Jameis Winston, E.J. Manual and Christian Ponder. There were some that felt Craig’s addition could spell the end for Cameron as offensive coordinator, but clearly that is not the case.
Four-Star Quarterback Flips From Alabama Crimson Tide To Georgia Bulldogs
Kirby Smart has talked a lot about the importance of retaining the top talent available from in-state since his arrival as the head coach at Georgia. So it was a major steal when he was able to flip four-start quarterback Jake Fromm to the Bulldogs after he had committed to Alabama. Fromm announced his decision via social media on Thursday and the rock-solid commitment was a major addition that sends a message to the rest of the college football world. Smart has done an excellent job in his short time at Georgia and the momentum continued to build with another quality addition to his roster heading in to the spring evaluation period. With Jacob Eason expected to make waves at the quarterback position this year and now Fromm coming in later, it looks like the Bulldogs quarterback situation is in good hands in the next few years.
Kentucky Fullback Arrested
Kentucky’s senior fullback William Collins was arrested on Friday and charged with alcohol intoxication, criminal mischief, theft and fleeing and evading. According to a police report, Collins was observed walking down the street with another individual holding a parking meter. When spotted by police, Collins and the other individual attempted to flee the scene. Collins, who did not see any game action for the Wildcats in 2015, later admitted to stealing the parking meter. Although he’s not a player that makes or breaks the team, it’s not a piece of college football news that the school wants to hear about in the middle of the offseason.
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