Arizona offensive line coach Eric Wolford will join the Illinois coaching staff, coach Ron Zook announced Monday.

Wolford replaces former Illinois offensive line coach Ed Warriner, who left the Illini two weeks ago to become Kansas’ offensive coordinator.

Wolford worked at North Texas, Houston and South Florida before spending three seasons at Arizona. During Wolford’s tenure at Arizona, the Wildcats led the league in fewest sacks allowed in 2004 and 2005.

The Ohio native brings recruiting ties to Texas and Florida, and helped establish the University of South Florida football program, which began in 1996. Wolford helped coach South Florida to two winning seasons in three years.

“After meeting with this staff and our players, I know this program is going in the right direction,” Wolford said in a press release. “I have been a part of four rebuilding processes in the past and have found it very rewarding.”

As a player at Kansas State, Wolford started four seasons under Bill Snyder and appeared in the 1993 Copper Bowl, the school’s first bowl game. He started his football coaching career at Kansas State, returning as a graduate assistant following the end of his playing days.

“Growing up in Ohio, it has always been a dream of mine to coach in the Big Ten,” Wolford said. “I am thrilled to have a chance to work with Coach Zook and within this offense.”