Mackovic's departure is emotional

CHAMPAIGN Just before he left to keep his Thursday date withdestiny in Austin, Texas, John Mackovic was sitting in his office atthe Memorial Stadium football complex when senior guard Tim Simpsonand senior fullback Kameno Bell stopped by.

Simpson, who made the Kodak/Coaches' All-America team, said heand Bell, the team's MVP, just wanted to thank Mackovic foreverything the coach had done for them during their careers atIllinois.

"He told us that his decision to take the Texas job was thehardest thing he's ever done," Simpson said. "He said it was evenharder than being fired by Kansas City."

As the two prepared to leave, they each offered Mackovic a …