Here's what Rodney wrote today over at Packernotes:

"here’s what Lovie Smith, who clearly knows a thing or two about coaching in the National Football League, said about the newest member of the Packers: “There is no doubt that Tim McGarigle is a rising star in the coaching fraternity. As much as I would have been happy that he stayed on our staff, I would never want to stand in the way of a coach moving into a position he wanted to attain. Tim is a terrific defensive coach and excellent communicator. I have no doubt he’ll have a very successful career.”

PS: McGarigle turned down other opportunities to come to GB because he wanted to advance his football knowledge among great football minds and learn in a highly respected and extremely stable organization.

Originally Posted by: Barfarn 

Football coaching has been so bad for so long at Illinois that Lovie looks like he is 10 feet tall and can walk on water. The last decent coach they had was John Mackovic back in 91. And he only had two good seasons in 89 and 90.

I like Lovie. He knows about the NFL as you mentioned. Mainly he knows how to get his butt thumped. (89-87) Do you think tOSU, Michigan, Alabama, LSU or even Clemson would hire Lovie? Not a chance.

Lovie telling the reporter that McGargle is a rising star is coach speak. What do you expect him to say? That Tim is a bum. That I did him a favor by hiring him to coach at IL knowing he wouldn't get a decent job elsewhere? Of course not. Lovie hired the guy of course he will say nice things about him when he is heading out the door.

You claim McGargle turned down other opportunities. You know this how? Where's is your list? I can claim anything too. Unless you have proof it is meaningless.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

I'll say it again, COACHES DON'T LIE!

"What do I expect him to say? Tim is a bum;" is 100% Uffda speak. Dont be Uffda-like: arguing that there are only 2 extreme choices, when there are millions of middling ones. Coach speak is common, it's done every day. Now, find me one example in any sport, where a coach made such an effusive statements about someone walking out the door and it wasn't true. You'd have examples if this occurred more than once or twice in a millennia.

This effusive speak [there is no doubt he's a rising star] is extremely rare; because if things dont work the coach looks like a nimrod.

Imagine a reporter asking about Hardy Nickerson Jr. and Smith says, "he's a rising star; there is no doubt he's the absolute best MLB in the draft."And then he goes undrafted. And a coach especially a college coach that recruits, simply cannot afford to have people thinking his word is not solid. Smith will be sitting in some youngsters living room next year speaking of how Illinois' program is a "rising star." He cant afford for a recruit to think, "he says crap like this all the time, I cant trust him."

NO ONE is talking to Tim unless Lovie is spoken with first, you do know this, correct? [Well, a classless sociopath like Jim Harbaugh might.] And during these calls Smith is undoubtedly asked about him. If Lovie speaks of Tim's many warts, he's not getting an NFL job, there's too many other choices.

McGarigle getting an NFL job is significant and its no less significant because someone is a hater of the staff because they're butt-hurt from a Champ game loss. And there is no doubt that "There is no doubt he's a rising star!" IS NOT COACH SPEAK. Only a complete nimrod loser would say such a thing, if he didn't know it to be true.

As for the list other opportunities, Tim nor the teams will ever publicly reveal this info. But, I expect he'll be interviewed in the coming slow weeks and the existence of other opportunities should be revealed. But for now you got me saying he's hot and Lovie saying "there is no doubt" that McGarigle is a coaching "rising star." Smith knows and he's telling the truth; if that doesn't convince you, I don't know how I'd convince you the sun sets in the west either.

Illinois has had trouble getting and keeping good coaches in all their major sports; not sure what's up with that. But Lovie Smith could write his ticket to be HC to any college that had an opening [unless they had a special candidate-like, EG, Michigan wanted Harbaugh].

Originally Posted by: Barfarn 

Typical Barfarn post. 🙄 You are the one who acted like he knew something that no one else knew when you said McGarigle turned down other offers to join GB. I asked you to prove your wild claim. Even though you can't you still rambled on for 454 words even ranting that I am like Uffda and that coaches never ever EVER lie. PFFT. Of course they don't.

Now I am not saying Lovie was lying but it is own interest to play up McGarigle on his way out the door. It's human nature. How many times have you heard someone say all kinds of nice things about someone who died? You have to be a real hard character to speak ill of the dead. Lovie hired McGarigle saying anything bad about him is the same as telling everyone that he doesn't know how to put together a coaching staff.

I asked you to back up your claim. I asked for a list. You can't. Next time you want to rant simply say that you have no proof instead of acting like you had coffee with McGarigle yesterday and promised him you wouldn't give out the names of the other teams. You might have more credibility if you do.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

Statement from Tim McGarigle
"Coach Lovie Smith and the rest of the coaching staff will have the Illini football program doing great things in the near future. Even though I was here just one year, it seems like so much longer because of the quality of people and relationships I've made in just a short time. However, I've always dreamed of coaching in the NFL and this opportunity with an organization like the Packers was something I couldn't pass up. Telling the linebacker group today that I was leaving was one of the toughest things I've ever done."

"However, I’ve always dreamed of coaching in the NFL and this opportunity with an organization like the Packers was something I couldn’t pass up. Telling the linebacker group today that I was leaving was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done.”

Illinois coach Lovie Smith said after the season that he'd help his assistant coaches earn better opportunities if they wanted one. He was true to his word.
On Friday, Illinois that linebackers coach Tim McGarigle had accepted a position on the Green Bay Packers coaching staff as "Defensive Quality Control – Linebackers Coach."
Werner's take:
This is a great opportunity for McGarigle -- and an opportunity that came quick. McGarigle was a hard-nosed football player and is a high-energy coach, who often participated in drills and would run up and down the practice field. McGarigle connected well with his players and showed potential as a recruiter, especially in the Chicago area. This is how you want to lose staffer: to great opportunities. Lovie Smith has deep connections in the business, especially on defense. With defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson -- one of the best NFL linebackers of the 1990s -- Illinois has a pretty good linebackers coach on staff, so Lovie Smith could get creative and go several different ways with this hire. This could be a chance for the Illini to add another ace recruiter to the staff.

McGarigle is a colorful character who is a relentless tackler. He psyches himself up before games by listening to the rock group AC/DC and like the line from the song, "Hell's Bells," he won't take no prisoners, won't spare no lives, in his determination to make the tackle.