Illinois Football: 5 options for the Illini offensive coordinator job

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 14: Illinois Fighting Illini fans are seen during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

5. Sterlin Gilbert – Offensive Coordinator South Florida

The Illinois football team had an opportunity to play the South Florida Bulls this past season and it wasn’t a pretty game. Illinois kept up with the Bulls for about a half of football but that was about it.

South Florida had a pretty good run this year finishing the season with a 10-2 record overall and a 6-2 conference record. They also made it to the Birmingham Bowl against Texas Tech and came away with a victory.

I have been really impressed with the Bulls’ offense this season and that is why I think offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert would be a good selection for the Illini.

Gilbert has only been with head coach Charlie Strong and South Florida for one season. Before that, he was with Strong at Texas. In the lone season with the Bulls, Gilbert helped quarterback Quinton Flowers improve his touchdowns with 25 through the air. He also lowered Flowers’ interceptions by one as well.

South Florida also had one of the best offenses in the country as well. They averaged scoring 38.9 points per game, which ranked No. 9 in the nation. He also improved the Texas Longhorns the year before.

In the one season with Texas, Gilbert managed to take an offense that was only averaging 26.4 PPG the year prior and made them into an offense that averaged 31.9 PPG. This was a big increase and is something I look for in a coach.

Next: 5 takeaways from Illini win over Missouri

I like Gilbert as an offensive coordinator for Illinois. He has helped develop offenses into high-powered machines. That is what I am looking for.

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