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Illinois Football: Alfred Davis is an A+ hire for the Illini defensive line

By Rees Woodcock

17 OCT 2009: Quarterback Tim Tebow (15) of the Gators gets around Alfred Davis (51) of Arkansas during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
17 OCT 2009: Quarterback Tim Tebow (15) of the Gators gets around Alfred Davis (51) of Arkansas during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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It looks like the Illinois football defensive line coach position is about to be filled by a coach with some solid experience.

On Thursday night, Richard Davenport of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Hutchinson Community College associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator Alfred Davis is being named the defensive line coach for the Fighting Illini.

Davis has a solid history in the game of football. He played defensive tackle for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2008-2012. He accumulated 78 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 1 sack during his time at Arkansas. After he was done playing, Davis spent some time as a high school football coach.

From January 2014 through January 2017, Davis joined the Razorbacks program as a graduate assistant. He then took his coaching career to another level and became the defensive line coach for Hutchinson Community College in 2017. He was then promoted to associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator.


Illinois is now bringing in a coach in Davis who has solid coaching experience on the defensive line. He has played the position and knows what it takes to be great. I believe there are other benefits to hiring Davis too.

Hutchinson CC produces a lot of talented football recruits. They have players come in and perform well, and then those players are recruited by big-time programs. One player to keep an eye on is Art Green.

Green was only a three-star coming out of high school but went to Hutchinson to prove he was elite. He is now one of the best JUCO players and is rated as a four-star. At one time, he was committed to Tennessee but backed away from that commitment. He is now taking an official visit to Iowa State this weekend, Arkansas on January 24 and then Illinois on January 31 before making his commitment.

Hiring Green’s defensive coordinator is a great move. Davis has earned this position on merit, but the fact a player like Green can come in and see his former defensive coordinator at Illinois is always a bonus.

Former Illini RB Dre Brown should get his chance. dark. Next

I love this hire by Lovie Smith and the Illini. I believe it will enhance our defensive line and will continue building our program through solid recruiting. This is an A+ hire.

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