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Illinois Football: 5 reasons the Illini need to fire Barry Lunney Jr.

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 27: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shakes hands with offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. after the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Memorial Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 27: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini shakes hands with offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. after the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Memorial Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Illinois offensive lineman Isaiah Adams signals for a touchdown after quarterback Tommy DeVito (3) scores a touchdown on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Illinois won the game, 34-10, in current Illini and former Badgers head coach Bret Bielema’s return to Madison.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin /

4. Lack of offensive line development

A part of the offensive coordinator’s job is to develop the offense. We need someone in this position who can help bring everyone along and improve their games.

It doesn’t look like offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has done this, in fact, I think the offensive line regression might be the biggest reason why there needs to be a change at this position.

This is one of the worst if not the worst, offensive lines I have seen in Champaign. They can’t block anyone, especially in the passing game. As of right now, the Illini are giving up 4.0 sacks per game, which ranks No. 123 out of 133 teams in the FBS.

Isaiah Adams and Zy Crisler started every game for Illinois on the offensive line last season, but this year, they look awful. Adams is slow off the line and can’t block anyone. Edge rushers are just going right around him or doing a simple swim move to get through him. Crisler is much of the same.

The only bright spot on the offensive line is center Josh Kreutz. Tackle Julian Pearl is the only other offensive lineman who ranks inside the top 200 at their position. Adams, Crisler, Josh Gesky, and Jordyn Slaughter are all sub-340 in the country.

We knew we were losing players like Alex Palczewski and Alex Pihlstrom, but that is no reason for how this offensive line looks in 2023. The fact Luke Altmyer drops back and is under pressure 41.5% of the time is inexcusable. Lunney has not developed the Illinois offensive line, and it is killing offensive production. That is why I believe there needs to be a change.

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