Illinois is hiring former Montana head coach Bobby Hauck as its new defensive coordinator, the program announced on Monday. Hauck was the head coach at Montana from 2018-2025, going 151-43 in his time there.
“Coach Hauck’s aggressive defensive scheme, which he learned at San Diego State and developed at Montana, will be an exciting new style that has never been seen here at Illinois,” wrote head coach Bret Bielema to Fighting Illini Athletics.
Hauck brings a wealth of experience. He’s coached for 38 years and spent 19 seasons as a head coach at Montana and UNLV. He led Montana to 13 playoff appearances, four national championship games and eight conference titles.
The 61-year-old’s defense ranked in the top-five in the Big Sky in total defense, scoring defense and sacks in his eight years as head coach. His defense has also finished in the top 10 nationally in turnovers three times over the last five years.
“Coach Bielema is one of the great head coaches in all of football and I am extremely excited to work for him and the student-athletes and staff here at the University of Illinois,” Hauck wrote to Fighting Illini Athletics. “I have a great feeling about the players, the coaches, and the future of this program.”
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The hire fills the gap left by Aaron Henry, who left to join Notre Dame as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Hauck will have a good group of veteran and fresh talent to start next season on a high note.
@ben_some16
