From today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Illinois is in discussions with Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson about becoming the new Illinois defensive coordinator, but Michigan also could be interested in hiring Johnson, sources said.

Does this tell us that LJ is actively looking to bolt. Seems awfully coincidental that he'd suddenly be linked to two different openings at Big Ten schools. If so, I guess that would make it a matter of when, and not if, he leaves.

LINK: http://blogs.suntimes.com/illini/2009/01/illini_eying_penn_state_assist.html

Is there any chance that the grief over this year's schedule cpupled with Rose Bowl fallout will convince Paterno to go hunting for a major conference opponent for '09? I know the schedule is set now, but they could buy their way out of the E Illinois or Akron games, I'm sure. And I'm sure there's a decent major conference team out there (not top-tier, but maybe like a Mississippi or Arizona) that would jump at the chance to play PSU. I really think it's important to get at least one quality opponent on the '09 OOC schedule. Right now, it's just Akron, Temple, E. Illinois and 'Cuse.