lb
5
Ep. 1181 - Tom Fornelli on the state of Illini football
- Top Betting/Intel Takeaways
- Program baseline: Tom Fornelli says Bret Bielema has raised Illinois from volatility into its best modern floor: reset years now look like 7-5/8-4 rather than 3-9/4-8.
- Bielema market perception: Fornelli ranked Bielema higher than the public CBS ranking because the Arkansas tenure still drags national perception, even though Arkansas declined after him and Illinois has become respectable.
- Offensive stability: Barry Lunney Jr. entering year five matters; Fornelli credits the staff with having a plan and tailoring offense to personnel, and says offense has not been the core problem during the 19-win stretch.
- QB Katin Houser: Fornelli liked Houser as a portal fit before the move happened. The appeal is Big Ten experience, ECU RPO background, size, and a better outside-numbers/deep-ball profile than Luke Altmyer.
dbdefensedllbmentions_alabamamentions_arkansasmentions_californiamentions_dukementions_georgiamentions_indianamentions_iowamentions_iowa_statementions_kansasmentions_miamimentions_michiganmentions_michigan_statementions_minnesotamentions_nebraskamentions_north_carolinamentions_north_texasmentions_northwesternmentions_ohiomentions_ohio_statementions_oklahomamentions_oklahoma_statementions_oregonmentions_penn_statementions_purduementions_ricementions_south_carolinamentions_tennesseementions_texasmentions_ucfmentions_uscmentions_wake_forestmentions_wisconsinoffenseolpodcastpredictionqbrbschematicswr
Mike Linehan Named Illinois Defensive Ends Coach
- — Mike Coach Linehan has been named Illinois' defensive ends coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced. "We are excited to welcome Coach Linehan to our staff," said Bielema.
coachingdefensedllbmentions_boston_collegementions_buffalomentions_coloradomentions_colorado_statementions_kansasmentions_missourimentions_new_mexicomentions_north_texasmentions_penn_statementions_san_diego_statementions_texaspredictionschematics
Steven Koch Named Illinois Assistant Special Teams Coach
- — Steven Coach Koch has been named Illinois' assistant special teams coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced. "Coach Koch will bring a valuable perspective to our special teams units while working alongside Coach Hurd," said Bielema.
coachingconcernsdepth_chartkickerlbmentions_arizona_statementions_auburnmentions_floridamentions_new_mexicomentions_south_floridamentions_texasmentions_texas_stateoffenseschematicste
Jordan Thomas Named Illinois Defensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator
- — Jordan Coach Thomas was named Illinois' defensive line coach/run game coordinator, head coach Bret Bielema announced. "Coach Thomas is a great fit for our Illini FamILLy with an immediate understanding of our defensive system," said Bielema.
coachingdefensedepth_chartdlexcitementslbmentions_arizonamentions_boston_collegementions_californiamentions_new_mexicomentions_san_diego_statementions_texasmentions_texas_a_moffense
- LB: Illinois football: Ranking the #Illini transfer portal additions who will make biggest impact on 2026 season
lb