2016 Big Ten Football Media Days Schedule: Illinois coach Lovie Smith to speak on July 26

The unofficial start to the 2016 Big Ten football season is finally here! Over the course of the next few days, 13 of the conference's head coaches will gather in Chicago to address members of the press corps during Media Days. The Fighting Illini will be represented by head coach Lovie Smith, senior quarterback Wes Lunt, senior defensive end Dawuane Smoot, and sophomore running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

All of the festivities will be aired live on the Big Ten Network. For those that don't have access to a TV throughout the morning, you can click here to stream the coverage on your computer. BTN2Go subscribers can also utilize their phones, tablets, and other connected devices.

Note: The Nebraska Cornhuskers won't be in attendance this week after the tragic death of senior punter Sam Foltz.

2016 Big Ten Media Days Schedule

Monday, July 25

12:00pm CT: Press conferences begin for Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Darrell Hazell (Purdue), Chris Ash (Rutgers), James Franklin (Penn State), Tracy Claeys (Minnesota), and Jim Harbaugh (Michigan)

2:00pm CT - 6:00pm CT: Head coaches and players will visit the 'BTN Live' set for interviews with Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo, and Howard Griffith

Tuesday, July 26

8:00am CT: Press conferences for Lovie Smith (Illinois), Kevin Wilson (Indiana), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), DJ Durkin (Maryland), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), and Urban Meyer (Ohio State)

10:20am CT: Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany's annual press conference

2:00pm CT - 6:00pm CT: More 'BTN Live' coverage from Chicago, with additional interviews from head coaches and players.

Wednesday, July 27

1:00pm CT: The annual Kickoff Luncheon Special will air on BTN. Each head coach will discuss the upcoming season, and Wisconsin running back Dare Ogunbowale will speak on behalf of all the players in attendance. This will be re-aired at 6:30pm CT.