Football

IlliniGuys.com will be your source for this news of the Illinois defensive coordinator search all along the way beginning with this initial list of likely candidates to replace Ryan Walters’ spot on Bret Bielema’s staff. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

December 13, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Ryan Walters has been named the next head coach at Purdue and will likely next see the Illinois football program when the two Big Ten Western Division rivals play in West Lafayette on Sept. 30, 2023. 

“Congratulations to Coach Walters on taking the head coaching job at Purdue,” Bielema said in a statement released by the University of Illinois athletics department. “Ryan is a talented coach with a bright future. We thank him and his family for everything they did for our program. This is something that I had seen coming for a while now. We have had a plan in place that we will unveil in the coming weeks that will position Illinois Football for sustained success in 2023 and for years to come.”

Now begins the job of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema to replace his first and only defensive coordinator hire since arriving at Champaign and was a finalist for the 2022 Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach in college football. 

Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters will named Walters will […]

Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach has died at […]

Steve Sturm, Illinois Football Analyst

December 13, 2022

For the second part of the "checking in on the commits" series I'm going to take a peek at the players that, for now, we're projecting to start their Illini careers on defense.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

Cover Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

December 12, 2022

Oct 28, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; East Carolina Pirates running back Marlon Gunn, Jr. (21) runs during the fourth quarter against the BYU Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

Today is a good day for Illinois football recruiting, they landed 6-foot-2 wide receiver Collin Dixon from Tallmade, OH. Less than two hours later, Illinois received more good news.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 12, 2022

IlliniGuys told you Illinois football recruiting was coming to age after a successful football campaign, going 8-4. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 12, 2022

Illinois is sending its fans and the rest of the Big Ten a message.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 12, 2022

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

This was a big weekend for Illinois recruiting for the 2023 class and here’s what I’m hearing.

Illinois Sports Information December 10, 2022 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The […]

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood calls out team’s immaturity, lack of effort and lack of individual maturity in fiery post-game media conference. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 10, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Artur Sitkowski will not playing quarterback next season for Illinois

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood calls out team’s immaturity, lack of effort and lack of individual maturity in fiery post-game media conference. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 10, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- In a 15-point home loss to Penn State, everybody associated with the University of Illinois men’s basketball program recognized that instead of everyday guys, Brad Underwood has players who take days off.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 10, 2022

This weekend all across the country there will be football recruits on official and unofficial visits.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 10, 2022

North Carolina State's Devin Leary is arguably the best quarterback in the transfer portal to date.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 6, 2022

Just a few days ago, Illinois received a commitment from Johnny Schmitt, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety from St. Rita's High School in Chicago.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

December 9, 2022

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

We are heading into a big weekend for Illinois recruiting and here’s why.