NCAAF
Head Coach: *Tim Beckman
Co-offensive Coordinator/Receivers coach: Billy Gonzales
Co-offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach: Chris Beatty
Defensive Line Coach: Keith Gilmore
Offensive Line Coach: Luke Butkus
Running Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator: Tim Salem
Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach: Alex Golesh
Inside Linebackers Coach: TBD
Secondary Coach: *Steve Clinkscale
Strength and Conditioning Coach: TBD
Outside Linebackers Coach: TBD
To a fan of the team, this list may seem as one which has some bright spots with great potentials but most people cannot just see the big league picture as these people lack the experience necessary to produce the Big Ten.
Most of the staff is just following Tim Beckman from Toledo to Illinois and this seems like a worrisome move.
MAC is already known for its poor defenses and high scoring games and middle class talented players and this recipe seems like one that would keep the team far away from the Big Ten.
The Illini Nation needs these new coaches to quickly adapt and set themselves in the life of the Big Ten or Illinois is only heading towards a potential disaster in the coming years.
Another worrisome fact is that neither of the co-offensive coordinators has proper experience in full time plays and need to take the reins to put a personal stamp on the team’s offense before they start struggling for their identity in the season.
The good thing is that Beckman is a great head coach and not a glorified coordinator or assistant and this is something that Illini have recently lacked.
Luke Butkus is a former Illini player and is a coach that is detail oriented and full of energy and this is just what the team needs to improve their O-line.
Chris Beatty has allowed a recruit to reopen his recruitment with the Illinois suitor due to Beatty’s shift from Vandy to Illinois.
Right now the Illini fans are being patient and are giving their new staff a chance to prove themselves, as there is definite potential but the problems are the coaches to set into the Big Ten culture and for the players to buy into the new coach’s style of play.
