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Illinois Football: 5 options to replace Ryan Walters as Illini defensive coordinator

By Rees Woodcock

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 6: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Fighting Illini defeated the Golden Gophers 14-6. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 6: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 6, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Fighting Illini defeated the Golden Gophers 14-6. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 05: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

5. DeMarcus Covington – Current New England Patriots DL Coach

I want to throw a random name out there who has connections with Bret Bielema, but no one is probably thinking about this option. The name I am adding to the mix is DeMarcus Covington.

Covington has a long coaching history. He started in 2012 as a graduate assistant for UAB on defense. He then moved to the same role with Ole Miss in 2013 and 2014. Covington then upgraded to defensive line coach with UT Martin for the 2015 campaign.

After the year at UT Martin, Covington jumped to Eastern Illinois where he was the defensive coordinator in 2016. That was his last stop at the college ranks. Covington would then move to the New England Patriots for the 2017 campaign.

With the Patriots, Covington started out as an assistant and then moved to the outside linebackers coach in 2019. He would then jump to the defensive line coach role in 2020 and has been there ever since.

Bielema was a consultant for the Patriots in 2018 and was the defensive line coach in 2019. He would work alongside Covington these two seasons. So, that is the connection that I am eyeing for this to potentially happen.

I also believe this could be Covington’s shot at moving up in the coaching rankings. His next move might be best suited to head to college to be a top-level assistant.

I wanted to throw a name out there to get people thinking. Do I think Covington is going to happen? No, but there is that connection there.

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