Illinois has added an experienced assistant to Tim Beckman‘s coaching staff, and, in a twist, didn’t do so at the expense of another FBS program’s current staff.
In a press release sent out late this past week, the Illini announced that veteran coach Tom Brattan has been hired as Beckman’s offensive line coach. Brattan will replace A.J. Ricker, who left after one season at the school for the same post at his alma mater Missouri.
“I was extremely pleased to find someone of Tom Brattan’s stature at this late date,” Beckman said in a statement. “He is very well-respected around the nation as a coach, as a recruiter and - maybe most importantly - as a person. Tom has experience of working with Al Seamonson and Tim Banks during his time at Maryland, while also having a Big Ten background from eight years at Northwestern. I’ve never gotten so many calls of support during a coaching search as I did for Tom.
“He already has some terrific relationships with high school coaches in the Chicago area, which gives him a great recruiting start in that important region. We are very fortunate to find someone with all the characteristics and experience that Tom brings to Illinois. He will have to hit the road running when we start our staff meetings on Monday and practice on August 4, but I am confident that he will be able to do that.”
Brattan had spent the past 13 seasons as the line coach at Maryland. In December of last year, it was announced that Brattan’s contract wouldn’t be renewed by the Terps.
In addition to Maryland during his 37-year coaching career, Brattan served as an assistant coach at Northwestern from 1992-98 and Stanford in 1999-2000.
(Photo credit: Maryland athletics)