Illinois Football: Illini finish out solid coaching staff for 2019

It looks like the Illinois football team has officially rounded out the coaching staff for the upcoming 2019 campaign.

There were some announcements made a few weeks ago about some coaching adjustments, and just yesterday the official announcement came about who would come aboard to finish out the staff.

The coaching adjustments a few weeks ago were Lovie Smith moving to defensive coordinator full time, in addition to his head coaching duties. I didn’t hear too much backlash over this move. Quite frankly, I love this move. Lovie is a defensive minded head coach, so why shouldn’t he be making the defensive play calling? I think he could make this defense really solid, and he is a nice recruiting chip as well. Having an NFL head coach as our defensive coordinator is a good thing.

Illinois also moved Miles Smith to linebackers coach and hired Keynodo Hudson to be the cornerbacks coach. The Hudson move seemed okay by everyone. He is a solid hire who could open up some avenues when it comes to Florida recruiting. Miles was the one that people scoffed at. I would like to see what this kid can do. I think his father will probably be more hands-on, so I am not sure the linebackers coach is going to do much.

The three new additions to the coaching staff that was announced yesterday were Mike Bellamy, Bob McClain and Lou Hernandez.

Bellamy is our new running backs coach, but he is a face that everyone should be familiar with. He was the Illinois wide receivers coach from 2013-2015. He wasn’t retained by Lovie but is now back with the program. I love this move by the Illini. I think Bellamy is a solid recruiter and a great team guy. He is going to do wonders for this program.

McClain is now the offensive line coach after Luke Butkus moved on to the NFL. He was an offensive analyst for the Illini last season. I think this is a good move too. McClain has prior offensive line coaching experience, and he is someone familiar with the program already. That is a good combination that I am a fan of.

The final addition was Hernandez. He will be the new Illini strength and conditioning coach. He has been in some role of strength and condition with programs since 1997. He was the Illinois strength and conditioning coach from 2005-2011 as well. From 2012-2018 he was North Carolina’s strength and conditioning coach. Now, Hernandez is back with the Orange and Blue. I believe this is another great hire. He has done some great work in the past, and I think he will do great work for the Illini.

Illinois rounded out their coaching staff on Wednesday. The additions of these three coaches will be a great thing for the Illini. I can’t wait to see what we can do this upcoming season and beyond.