SPORTS: LOVIE SMITH HIRED AS NEW HEAD COACH AT UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Illinois has selected former Bears coach Lovie Smith as its next football coach after athletic director Josh Whitman posted two photos on Monday morning with Smith at Memorial Stadium.

Smith agreed to a six-year deal with payments of $2 million annually for 2016 and 2017, $3 million for 2018, $4 million for 2019 and $5 million annually for both 2020 and 2021. He will have opportunities for earn more through incentive bonuses.