CHICAGO Illinois coach Lovie Smith Peyton Manning Jersey was back in familiar surroundings, a place where he spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.We feel like we're Chicago's team, Smith said to close his opening statement. We have a lot of alumni here so it's good to be here.MORE: | At least Smith understands that part. The Illini have to be Chicagos team, becauseright now a lot other schools can make that argument. Northwestern, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Michigan have a lot of alumni and a recruiting footprint there.We know Smith can coach. Hes been to a Super Bowl, and he had four seasons with 10 or more wins with the Bears. Illinois has three seasons with 10 or more wins in school history. Even Ohio State coach Denver Broncos Pet Gear Urban Meyer recognized what Smith can bring to the Big Ten.Instant credibility, Meyer said.We know Smith adds depth to the Big Ten coaching ranks, and hes the most-recognizable black coach the conference has hired since the late Dennis Green. Smith could open the door for .The big question is whether Smith can compete on the recruiting trail. That starts in Chicago, but stretches to the entire state of Illinois. Eight of the states top 10 prospects are committed for 2017 , but only one chose the Illini. Smith also stre sed the importance of St. Louis, Stephen Weatherly Jersey Indianapolis, his native Texas and Florida.The recruiting proce s overall has gone well, Smith said. We had some areas that we have identified. But in order for us to do well we need to do well in the Chicago area. And why wouldn't you want to do well? A lot of great athletes here.Smith addre sed the obvious. He hasnt coached in college since 1995, and finding the touch on the recruiting trail is going to take time.So will the product on the field. Illinois has four straight losing seasons and just four winning seasons since 2000. The Illini have lost 18 straight games against ranked Big Ten opponents. Smith is the no-nonsense coach this program needed after the off-field me s with Tim Beckman last Malik Reed Jersey season.Smith spoke of that rebirth with the hiring of athletic director Josh Whitman made Illinois interesting again with this hire.Yet theres work to do to become Chicagos team. We realize we have to put a better product on the football field, Smith said. It's as simple as that. Drew Lock Jersey That's why again I'm excited about the players we have. When you come into a new situation, a new team and you have a lot of seniors that have played a lot of football, it gives you hope, and that's what we have.