Rodney is being recruited by everybody, but Edwardsville has been good to the Illini in the past. The community definitely supports Illinois.
And though there are plenty of talented running backs on campus, Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford will be seniors by the time Coe goes to college. That's a big plus for Illinois.
It sounds like he is doing his homework on college offenses, which would again be a plus for Illinois. And he apparently wants to stay close to home, which leaves Illinois and Missouri as the two best options.

BW,

I hadn't heard him call it "The Wild Bunchy," but you might get credit if the defense plays well and the nickname sticks.
I think everybody wants to see their team's defense play aggressively. And that's what it sounds like Vic Koenning wants too.
You look at the work done by his defenses and it is impressive.

Rob,

I didn't know she is going to be a contestant, but it seems like a great choice.

I've talked to her a few times over the years and can tell you she is very, very nice. I'm sorry about what happened to her with the stalker. You wouldn't wish that on your worst enemy.

I think she has greatly improved as an announcer. When she first got started doing studio work for the Atlanta Braves, she struggled at times. But she has become very good at her job.

I've never watched Dancing with the Stars, but have to think she would be a favorite.

Elvis,

I think Iowa and Wisconsin have a great advantage in the continuity of their systems. Yes, Wisconsin changed coaches in recent years, but the basic principles stayed the same.
You have to admire the coaching of Kirk Ferentz, but there have been times when Iowa fans weren't happy with him. And Bret Bielema was a bad year away from being in major trouble at Wisconsin.
The schools have stuck with their guys and it has paid off. I don't think either school requires highly rated recruits to make it work. And that's a plus too.

Steve,

Actually, it sounds like Tommie's status might be more related to off-the-field work. It sounds like Vic Koenning is keeping a close eye on him.

Sorry, I forgot to ask about Patrick. I will check with the coaches and get back to you. I don't want to give out any false information.

Jason,

After talking to Coach Koenning, I don't know if that decision has been made. And, if they decide he will play offense, I'm not sure the coaches will tell anybody. They want him on the field, but they also don't want to ask him to try to do too much.
But it doesn't take a whole lot of brain matter to realize he can play both at cornerback and receiver, especially if the package on offense is somewhat limited.
I still think his primary position will be cornerback.

Steve,

While I have a different approach than Loren, I wholeheartedly defend his right to write what he thinks is best.
Loren is a columnist. And a major part of the job of the columnist is to provoke thought. I think Loren did that with his column today. Note that he put himself in with the peeople he was writing about.
I also defend the right of the fans to have their voices heard. You pay the ticket price or you watch on television or listen on the radio, so you have the chance to respond. Positively or negatively. I think most fans are the same. They want their teams to win and get upset when it doesn't happen. I've been known to let out a bad or two when the Braves lose a close game. But I move on quickly. I think Loren is concerned that the fans aren't moving on quickly.
I haven't had it, by the way. Not even close. I love sports for the passion they provoke in the athletes, coaches and fans. That goes back a long time before there was college basketball.

Adam,

I do look at them from time to time. Not two hours a day, but maybe a few minutes. More during particular times of the year, like recruiting season and right before Camp Rantoul starts.
They all have their value. And they all have their flaws. Just like every business.
Favorite is easy: the home team. The IlliniBoard has been a valuable part of IlliniHQ, one I hope you look at all of the time.

Jason,

A year ago, I would have told you Corey Liuget. And that still might be true. I suppose if Mikel Leshoure had a huge junior season, he could think about it. But I would put that in the unlikely category.

frustrated,

I think an eight-game home schedule is a very good thing for any team. I think with a similar schedule, the 5-7 teams in 2002 and 2008 would have been in bowls. And it would change the perception of the current program.
Even the BCS school that Illinois plays in 2011, Arizona State, figures to less than a power. The 2011 season is set up for Illini success.

CJ,

No, I don't. And more important, I don't think Ron Guenther looks at it that way. To me, the only way that happens is if Ron Zook leads Illinois to a couple of big seasons and is hired away by another school. Then, the promotion of Paul Petrino would be an easy choice. More likely if Illinois succeeds is that Petrino gets hired away by another school. First, of course, the team needs to win.

Gary,

I was impressed by Coach Koenning. He isn't your polished assistant coach looking for the next big job. Very down to earth and very friendly. I think the players will like him. And I think he learned from his failure as a head coach at Wyoming.
The personnel questions can't be answered until Camp Rantoul because of all of the injuries. But I think he's got a good group to work with and will build around that.

Kevin,

I'm hoping to talk to Juice for a story in the next couple of weeks. Yes, he has been preparing for the draft. More important, he's been preparing for the Pro Timing Day.
I think he wants to play quarterback. But a change in position can never be discounted.

Shief,

I think the change in the way the offense operates. The first time out on the field against Missouri, the lineup will look so different. Quarterback under center. Tight ends and fullbacks. No players looking to the sidelines for signals. It will look more like an NFL team.

Drew,

Great question. Remember, Ohio State visits, which should prop up the numbers. But no Michigan and Penn State will hurt. And home games against Purdue, Indiana and Minnesota won't do much for the fans.
I think the attendance will drop some from 2009, but maybe not as drastic people think. The school isn't raising ticket prices, which is very smart. And the horseshoe seats guarantee a 13,000 season ticket base before another seat is sold.

Steve,

Coach Koenning said he was spending more time in the office with Tommie than he expected to. It sounds like Tommie might not be doing everything off the field that he is supposed to do. Coach Koenning didn't go into details. I'm just guessing that it could have to do with academics, study hall, meetings, workouts. Any of those are possible. Sorry that I don't know more.

Cory,

I haven't heard of any other departures, although that is always possible. And there is no reason to free up scholarships from the fifth-year guys as long as Illinois is at or under the 85 total, which I think will be the case. If you are Illinois right now, there is no such thing as too many experienced players.

David,

It sounds like he ran well and performed well in the weight lifting. I've read that his route running wasn't great and that he got frustrated a bit. He's a perfectionist, so that doeesn't surprise me. I don't think he's done anything to hurt himself.

Al,

The assumption is it will be Martez Wilson. I don't think that decision has been made and his limitations in the spring will make that hard to do. Any of the linebackers from last season could be an option, with the exception of Ian Thomas. I think he has proven his value in the middle.

1st Amendmenbt,

Perfect. Loren is doing his job better than any 78-year-old in the country. And we always admire his energy. I hope I'm still awake at 78.

Kramer116,

Can I at least watch one spring practice?

OK, I'll play. But the way I understand the defense, there will only be three guys up front:

DE Nurse and Michael Buchanan/Brent
DT Liuget
LB Wilson (Bandit), Thomas, Henry and Russell Ellington
CB T. Wilson and Hawthorne
S Aikens and Edwards, with lots of rotation.

No making fun of me when this is all wrong.

Dennis,

I haven't heard specifics about Coach Petrino at Fenwick, but generally those who meet him have come away impressed.
Illinois had a junior day during the basketball season and will have a couple more upcoming. I'm certain there will be one in the spring. They are important and I think every second the players spend on campus with the current players is a boost for Illinois.

Paul,

You are right, it will be an open competition. But right now, in a close call, I'd give the edge to Jacob Charest. He's been on the field when the game was on the line and came through. He knows what it's like to succeed and fail in the Big Ten. The other guys don't have that experience.
I think Nathan Scheelhaase has a good chance to win the job. But Jacob is ahead right now in my opinion. The coaches, wisely, are keeping their opinions to themselves.

Shief,

If it's 12, I like Texas. Period.
If it's 14, I'd say add Texas, Missouri and an Eastern school, probably Syracuse.
If it's 16, then Texas, Missouri, Syracuse, Nebraska and Rutgers.
No matter what happens, give the Big Ten credit for being aggressive about expansion. The league doesn't want to get caught if the SEC and Pac-10 grow, which looks likely.