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Lovie Smith makes a big hire for his new Illinois staff
Louisville offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Garrick McGee is joining new Illinois head coach Lovie Smith's staff in the same capacity.
"I wish Garrick McGee and his family nothing but the best and I am grateful for his friendship and commitment," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday afternoon. "I've known him for a long time and I'm going to miss him as a person and a coach. He did a great job wherever we have coached together and I think he has a great football mind. I know it was a difficult decision for him because he's had such a close relationship with Lovie Smith, and he feels like this is the right move for him. I wish him nothing but success and I am grateful for his dedication through the years."
The 42-year-old McGee, who was 5-19 as a head coach for two seasons at UAB before re-joining Petrino's staff in 2014, did not handle play-calling duties with the Cardinals. However, he was Northwestern's offensive coordinator for two seasons while coaching in the Big Ten and helped the Wildcats to being the conference's most productive offense in 2007.
Lovie Smith was announced as Illinois' new head coach Monday.
