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Illinois Football: 4 reasons Tony Petersen is a home run hire for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 21, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on the grass during pre game before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on the grass during pre game before a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Petersen is a proven offensive mind

Illinois is entering a new era of football, and winning right off the bat is extremely important. To win immediately, I believe we need an experienced hand as an offensive coordinator.

I know that a new young flashy offensive coordinator would be exciting. But, honestly, I want someone who knows what they are doing and has been around the game for years. I want someone who is going to come in and make this Illinois offense a high-powered scoring machine. I believe that person is Tony Petersen.

If you are bad at your job, you aren’t getting hired by a ton of big-time programs. From 1990-1998, Petersen was with Marshall in some capacity. During that time, he coached NFL talented like Randy Moss, Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich. In the first two years the Thundering Herd were in the FBS – 1997 and 1998 – Petersen helped lead the program to the Motor City Bowl and won one of them.

From 1999-06, Petersen was with Minnesota in some capacity. The Gophers were extremely successful during this run with seven bowl appearances in eight years, which included three bowl wins in a row.

From 2007 up until now, Petersen has been hired by eight different teams for roughly the same position as offensive coordinator. If you are bad at your job, you aren’t as wanted as Petersen is on the job market.

Illinois is now getting the experience and knowledge that Petersen has as an offensive coordinator. We are getting all of that great success he has had as a coach. This proven offensive mind is going to help mold and develop the Illini offensive players to become a well-oiled machine. We have the talent to take this team to the next level. Now we have a leader to do the same.

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