Moderator: Welcome back to another chat. We've got a very special guest today, Illinois coaching legend Mike White. Let's get to the questions.

Ryan, Decatur, IL: In terms of playmakers, how does your team from 1983 compare to the current team?

And if the current team played your team how do you think they would match up?

Moderator: Ryan,

I don't think you can compare eras. Things are different. The Big Ten competition is different.

I think Ron Zook has done a tremendous job with skilled athletes. In the running back category as well as wide receiver.

Benn, from what I know of him, has tremendous speed. We had some real, real good possession receivers. Dave Williams with his 100 catches.

I'd love to see the game between those two teams. I think it would be a lot of fun. We each have our strenghts and weaknesses.

Mike, Peoria, IL: Coach White thank you for taking the time to visit. I was on campus from the fall of '80 through through the Rose Bowl (attended the game). Loren Tate and others feel the UI cannot have sustained success in football due to various factors (money, location etc). What level of success do you think the UI can attain and sustain?

Moderator: Mike,

Illinois can always be in the top half of the Big Ten in football. It's a great school. They have excellent coaching. Through the years, we've earned a national reputation that the high school athletes and identify and know we're going to be successful.

I'm not sure of your sources with Mr. Tate, we can discuss that later.

I don't think there's any question you can't win consistently at Illinois.

Jerry, San Antonio, Texas: Coach:

The defensive schemes eventually catch up with all offensive sets. Do feel the "Spread" is peaking, and teams will change this year or in near future, back to pro sets, the I, or some other offensive scheme?

Welcome back, and thanks for some exciting years!

Moderator: Jerry,

It appears to me that this concept is going to last for a while. There are so many versions. People have adapted to some of my base philosophy, which is that you have to understand the forward pass and you have to be able to do it to win at every level.

What will begin to modify it will be the inability to run the ball effectively in obvious running situations. People are beginning to break down the pass protections without the variety of using backs and tight ends to block. That's what will drive it back.

Steve Carlson, Oakland, Michigan: Coach

One thing I could never understand was the program's inability to land a receiver like Benn when you had all those great passing QB's. I know it was not from lack of effort. Teams not noted for passing, like Michigan consistently got the top receiving talent. My take was this stemmed from kids wanting to go to a big name program not willing to take some risk on an upstart like Illinois. Hey thanks for all the memories, you still are by all time favorite Illini coach !

Moderator: Steve,

Generally, I agree with that. Quarterback was our specialty. We built a legacy there.

We had some real solid overall performers at receiver. David Williams is in the College Football Hall of Fame, which speaks to his overall skills. But most of my years were receiving athletes who were versatile in their ability to run pass route, but not based on their speed alone.

Mike C., Champaign, IL: Coach,

What's the most money you made while coaching at Illinois. Are guys today - I think Zook is making over a million - making too much.

Moderator: Mike,

The most I made was well under $500,000. My coaching friends have remarked how we came along at the wrong time from a financial standpoint. I didn't know what the other coaches made at the time.

When it get way overbalanced between the faculty and the coaches, it does send the wrong message.

Phil, Rochester, MN: Do you think that it hurts the Big Ten to not have a 12th team and/or a conference championship game?

Moderator: Phil,

The mistake is 11 teams. You should have either have more teams and play everybody in division or you should be like the Pac10 and play everybody.

Eleven teams has been a mistake from the very start. It's an unworkable situation.

Sal Nudo, Champaign, Illinois: Mike, I noticed you were mentioned frequently in the recently published autobiography of former football coach Bill Walsh. What did Walsh mean to you as a colleague and friend, and what do you think he did for the game of football?

Moderator: Sal Nudo,

He along with Dick Vermeil have involved into being my best friends over the years. It all stemmed from us coaching together at Stanford in the 1960s. Bill Walsh was a great friend. He doesn't get enough credit for his innovations in not only football, but in management and personnel. He was way ahead of his time in terms of his management concepts. He had all those qualities and he made the best out of it. We miss him.

Ross, Indianapolis, IN: Coach: I'll never forget your first call on offense at your first game in Champaign (The Bomb! Incomplete, but so what). Thanks for all of the great memories! How do you keep yourself busy in California these days?

Moderator: Ross,

I've dabbled in coaching. I coached the East-West game a year ago in Houston. I also coached the Under Armour game in January. I can still handle coaching a week at a time.

My wife Marilyn and I run a family summer camp for three months in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I'm also very active on the board of directors of the Ronnie Lott Impact Foundation for the defensive player of the year. I spent time with J Leman and his parents last year.

Tom, Pana, Illinois: Coach White -

If someone waved a magic wand and you woke up tomorrow and you had the helm of the current Illini football squad, what would be something different that you might employ? Not trying to stir any pots but just to get your impression of the current Illini team.

Thank you for your contributions to Illini football Coach White

Moderator: Tom,

I'm really impressed with the attitude of the players. I'm really impressed with Coach Zook's approach to the team and the quality of athletes he's been able to put together. I just think he's got to continue to build on the success he's had and good things will happen.

What they do I 100 percent agree with. In such an even league like the Big Ten, you have to hope you get some good fortune.

O&BinDC 73, Washington, D.C.: Coach White, Assuming that you have kept tabs on the team through the years, do you see Illinois returning to a bowl game next season?

Moderator: O&B,

I believe Illinois is a team that will be in the top half of the league and should continue to be there. Because of that they should have a solid opportunity to be in a bowl game this year.

SJ, Champaign, Il: Hi Coach,

Welcome back! It's always good to have you back in town. Thanks for all you did while you where here as coach. I hope you stay connected with the program. I do have a question. How do you like the spread offence in college football?

Moderator: SJ,

I'm not a big fan of it to be honest. The concept of throwing to set up the run is not bad. The deployement of players does not allow for enough balance with the running game, particularly in the critical situations. The goalline, short yardage, etc. The spread does get some players out of the game. That dominant defense player now is relegated to the bench because of the spread.

Mudhen, Riverside, Illinois: Coach, what was your approach when implementing and using so-called gimmick plays. It seems to me that has been missing with Illinois lately and I believed that those type of plays are actually important to throw off the defense, thanks for your time.

Moderator: Mudhen,

I believe that a lot of successful football teams are known for their big plays. That can come through normal execution or some sort of gimmick play that allows you to exploit a great play you have or to exploit a weakness in the defense.

You should be willing to do it any time. If you're too conservative, you pay for it in the long run. That's why people like the spread.

Phil Ambers, Collierville, Tennessee: I do not have a question but a comment to Coach White. I have been a season ticket holder for Illini football beginning with the Rose Bowl year in the early 80's. I must say that I have not seen or felt Memorial Stadium shake and rock since - like it did that year. My most memorable moment in Illini football is the Thomas Rook's TD run in the 4th quarter of the Ohio State game. Also the block of a Michigan punt and Williams reception over the middle in that game.

Just want to say a big Thank You for the excitement you brought during your years at Illinois - and oh yes as a St. Louis Rams fan thanks for your time with Dick Vermil in St. Louis.

Moderator: Phil,

Thanks for reminding me of the great memories. My family enjoyed our experience at Illinois as much or more than any of my other coaching jobs. Dealing with people like you who supported us made our success that much more fun.

Eric Olson, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Coach White, thanks for so many great memories. Thomas Rooks sweeping right, disappearing from view, and re-emerging in the end zone against Ohio State in 1983 is probably my most enduring sports image.

My question: what did Coach Schembechler say to you on the field after your epic 16-6 victory in 1983?

Moderator: Eric,

I don't know that he said anything. During my career there, the Illinois-Michigan rivalry was always very heated. I don't remember him saying anything complimentary.

Rich, Austin, Texas: Coach White, I was one of the students who helped carry you around the field after the Michigan victory in 1983. You graciously signed a copy of the Chicago Tribune front page with a picture of us that still hangs in my office today. That game (and season) was my favorite from your tenure, I was wondering if you had a favorite victory from your time at Illinois?

Moderator: Rich,

That year when we beat everybody, when we won all nine Big Ten games, those were the indelible memroies. We worked so hard to get into position against Ohio State and Michigan. That combination was the most satisfying.

The game I remember personally was when my son, Chris, made the winning field goal on the last play of the game against Ohio State in 1985.

Buddy Selin, Champaign, Illinois: I never thought the Hart Lee Dykes incident was severe enough to warrant your dismissal. Did you/the U of I ever consider letting the NCAA investigate and if penalties came, accept those and stay here? I thought the University could have supported you more.

Moderator: Buddy,

From the day my family and I arrived, we knew this was the place we wanted to finish my coaching career. We did everything we could to make the program successful and respectful throughout the country.

The truth is I was really disappointed in the lack of support showed to me personally and to my football team. I was committed to stay at Illinois for a long time and had proven that by turning down other opportunities. We had rebuilt the program and we felt that the best years were ahead of us. I wish I had been able to see it through. I proved from the day I got there my loyalty to Illinois.

Phil, Rochester, MN: Who is the logical 12th team?

Moderator: Phil,

I always thought that it should be Notre Dame in terms of proximity and prestige. They need it.

Dr. Phil, Orland Park, Illinois: Mr. White, I loved when you coached at Illinois. The excitement your teams brought to Illinois football will always be remembered. Three questions please - first, did you visit many of the Illinois or border states' high schools when you first got to Champaign to establish relationships with h.s. coaches? Next, I always thought the 3-3 tie with Michigan in 1985 was the hardest-hitting game I saw at Illinois. Do you agree, or was there a tougher, more physical game? Finally, it seemed that you liked the shuffle pass quite a bit? Why don't college teams use it more often? Again, thank you for resurrecting Illinois football.

Moderator: Dr. Phil,

Our whole approach was to build relationships with high school coaches throughout the state. Early in our career there, we found the competition tough. The top players were going to other schools. As we went along, we had more success.

For two high powered, well coached teams that was as good a football game as we were involved in. It shows how critical defense is.

Some of the plays I see in the spread formation mirror that play. To run the pure shovel, it's good to have two backs. It's safe because it's a pass. It was a high percentage play that we really liked.

Dave N, Wheeling, IL: Hello Mike, Welcome back to Champaign. We still love you, you gave us some great years and memories in the 80's. Thank you so much. I am glad you still feel close and want to come back and continue to be a part of the Illinois family. You always seemed to have good offensive linemen to plug in each year without missing a beat, how were you able to accomplish that consistently?

Moderator: Dave N.,

At the college and the pro level, filling needs is a real science. The pros do it through the draft or free agency. In college, which we were often criticized for, if we couldn't fill the needs from the high school ranks, we were forced to do it with junior college players or transfers. We felt that was one of the things we did well throughout the years we were there. We would think ahead a few years. The word needs is the key. If you have a mismatch or an injury, you have to fill the spot or change what you're doing.

JLE, Indianapolis, IN: I attended the '84 Rose Bowl and watched UCLA march up and down the field. Are ticket refunds available for the poor performance of the defense that day?

Moderator: JLE,

No refunds. Terry Donahue, the UCLA coach, lives right around the corner from me and reminds me of it every day. I've had enough grief over a UCLA team that underachieved all year. Maybe get the refund from Terry since it was a home game. We were on the road for two weeks and they had to leave their dorms for 24 hours. UCLA coach Rich Neuheisel had the best game of his career at quarterback.

TK, tampa, Florida: Thanks for bringing Illinois football back into the limelight.

Juice has a rocket arm and which sometimes betrays him, if you were his QB coach what strategies would you employ to refine his abilities?

Moderator: TK,

I'm sure Coach Zook subscribes to the same quarterback philosophy that I do which is accuracy is the most important ingredient of a successful quarterback. Since Juice has been there three years, they know what he does best and what passes he throws best.

Moderator: I'm overwhelmed with the interest and want to thank everyone who participated. My wife and I are looking forward to coming back this weekend and seeing many of the ex-players and friends from Illinois.