Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith (left) and California Golden Bears head coach Justin Wilcox after the game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith (left) and California Golden Bears head coach Justin Wilcox after the game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 30, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith shake hands after the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 30, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith is seen during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 30, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith watches game action during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 23, 2019; Iowa City, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith reacts with defensive back Stanley Green (7) during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 23, 2019; Iowa City, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith arrives before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 9, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith leaves the field after a gatoraid bath by players after a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 9, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith leaves the field after a gatoraid bath by players after a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 9, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith walks off the field during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 2, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith celebrates after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 2, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights interim head coach Nunzio Campanile (left) and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith meet after a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 2, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini and head coach Lovie Smith (middle) celebrate after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 2, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 26, 2019; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini coach Lovie Smith coaches on the sidelines against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 26, 2019; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini coach Lovie Smith coaches on the sidelines against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 26, 2019; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini coach Lovie Smith congratulates quarterback Brandon Peters (18) after Illinois scored a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the third quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 26, 2019; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini coach Lovie Smith coaches on the sidelines against the Purdue Boilermakers during the third quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 19, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith reacts after a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 19, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith celebrates a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 19, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith chat prior to the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith meet after a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith jogs to the locker room after a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith meet after a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on as players warm up for the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 5, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 5, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 21, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith reacts after a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 21, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith (left) and Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost meet before a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 21, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 14, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith is seen during the first half against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 7, 2019; East Hartford, CT, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith watches from the sideline as they take on the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 7, 2019; East Hartford, CT, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith talks with running back Ra'Von Bonner (21) after his touchdown run and being charged with unsportsmanlike conduct penally as they take on the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith is seen during the first half against the Akron Zips at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on as quarterback Brandon Peters (18) warms up prior to the first half against the Akron Zips at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 18, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith speaks during the Big Ten Football Media Days event at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 18, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith speaks during the Big Ten Football Media Days event at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 18, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith speaks during the Big Ten Football Media Days event at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 17, 2018; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith has a discussion with officials during the fourth quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 17, 2018; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith walks off the field during after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 17, 2018; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith before the start of the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2019; Santa Clara, California, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith (left) and California Golden Bears head coach Justin Wilcox after the game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith (2ndL) watches from the sideline during the second half of their NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan December 30, 2012. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith calls in a play during their NFL football game with the Arizona Cardinals in Phoenix, Arizona December 23, 2012. REUTERS/Darryl Webb (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith leaves the field after losing to the San Francisco 49ers 32 to 7 in their NFL football game in San Francisco, California, November 19, 2012. REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith smiles after their victory against the Dallas Cowboys in their NFL football game in Arlington, Texas October 1, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Sharp (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith (L) meets with Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett following their NFL football game in Arlington, Texas October 1, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Sharp (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (L) is congratulated by head coach Lovie Smith (R) after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of their NFL football game in Arlington, Texas October 1, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Sharp (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith (C) talks with replacement officials during the first half of his teams NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams at Soldier Field in Chicago, September 23, 2012. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith checks the score board against the Green Bay Packers in the second half during their NFL football game in Green Bay, Wisconsin September 13, 2012. REUTERS/Darren Hauck (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith listens to an official during his teams pre-season NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field in Chicago, August 18, 2012. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith reacts during the closing seconds of their NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field in Chicago December 18, 2011. The Seahawks defeated the Bears 38-14. REUTERS/Frank Polich (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith walks off the field after the team's defeat to the Oakland Raiders during their NFL football game in Oakland, California, November 27, 2011. REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith (R) talks with Bears defender Brian Urlacher while playing against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 7, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith watches his team in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in Chicago October 16, 2011. REUTERS/Frank Polich (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith looks on as his team took on the New Orleans Saints during their NFL football game in New Orleans, Louisiana September 18, 2011. REUTERS/Sean Gardner (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith congratulates New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton after defeating them 30-13 during their NFL football game in New Orleans, Louisiana September 18, 2011. REUTERS/Sean Gardner (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)