Illini Legendary Wrestling Coach Mark Johnson Excited to See Cole Rusk in Orange & Blue
Former Illini wrestling head coach Mark Johnson recruited Steve Rusk from his home area of the Quad Cities almost 30 years ago and is thrilled Steve’s son is a graduate transfer for Illini football.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
February 27, 2024
CHAMPAIGN — During his first week after moving into his residence at the University of Illinois, Cole Rusk was told there was a delivery for him on the front stoop at their family home in Rock Island.
Rusk immediately thought this was strange until he was told who the gift came from.
“My dad told me that the next time I get home there was an Illini shirt waiting for me,” said Cole Rusk, the newest tight end signee for Illinois out of the transfer portal. “And then (my dad) said it was from his coach at Illinois and I was like ‘oh, that’s so awesome’.”