IlliniGuy Mike Cagley talks with IlliniGuys Football Beat Writer Matt Stevens after Illinois announced a new three-year contract extension for Ryan Walters before the end of his first season as the Illini’s defensive coordinator that calls for him to be a seven-figure coordinator through the 2024 season.
Under his leadership, Walters’s defense at Illinois has made a 13.3 points per game improvement from last season, the second-best improvement in the nation, while allowing 77.4 fewer yards per game. The Illini rank 35th nationally in opposing points per game, 44th in takeaways, and 42nd in third-down defense. Illinois' scoring defense, total defense, and third-down defense have all improved more than 40 spots in the national rankings.
This is a big day for Illini fans as AD Josh Whitman and football head coach Bret Bielema have teamed up to proactively reward their defensive coordinator for his unit drastically exceeding expectations.
IlliniGuys Top 5 Fighting Illini Cs in our Lifetime - #493
ListenKed's Recruiting Roundup with Davon Grant
ListenIllini Football & Basketball, Hogan & Sandberg Pass & Cearah Parchment & Matt Stevens - S4Ep51 - 8.1.25
ListenOpinions from the Outside Looking In at Illini Football #492
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini PFs in our Lifetime, 4-Star 2027 QB Commit & Fantastic Four: First Steps Movie Review - #491
ListenB1G Media Days, Illini Hoops & More - S4Ep50 - 7.25.25
ListenIlliniGuys Top Fighting Illini SFs in our Lifetime - #490
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys – Luke Altmyer Poised to Soar Up All-Time Illini QB Rankings & Kofi Part II
ListenNBA Summer League, Illini Recruiting Update, SEC Media Days & More - S4Ep49 - 7.18.25
ListenI on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 SGs & Superman Movie Review #489
ListenIllini in NBA Summer League, New Basketball Hire & Illini Football - S4Ep48 - 7.11.25
ListenI on the Illini - Fighting Illini Top 5 PGs #488
ListenBest of Interviews Episode - 7.4.25 - S4Ep47
ListenIllinois Athletics State of the Union Discussion - #487
ListenWhitman's Illini State of the Nation & the NBA Draft - 6.27.25 - S4Ep46
Listen