Earlier this month, we reported that Lovie Smith would retain Paul Williams as defensive backs coach as part of his first Illinois coaching staff and confirmed that Mike Phair, promoted to defensive coordinator not long ago by Bill Cubit, would remain as defensive line coach.
Tuesday night, not only did the Illini confirm those developments but also announced another retention by Smith as well.
In a press release, the Illini revealed that Tim McGarigle will continue on as linebackers coach. McGarigle was hired by Cubit in early January after spending the past four seasons at Western Michigan.
In addition to McGarigle, Phair and Williams, former Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will remain in the program. The running backs coach in 2015, Scheelhaase will have a non-specified non-coaching role in 2016.
“After meeting with both Coach McGarigle and Coach Williams, I was very impressed with the energy they bring to our staff, as well as their coaching background and experience,” Smith said in a portion of a statement. “Even though they were on the Illini staff only for a few weeks, they will be very helpful in the transition.
“I’m also excited that Nathan will continue working with the program. He is an outstanding young man who loves the Fighting Illini.”
With the various moves Smith has made in the last few days, he has just two holes on his nine-man on-field staff left to fill -- running backs coach and what the school described as tight ends coach/special teams coordinator.
It has previously been confirmed that Smith has added Hardy Nickerson as defensive coordinator and swiped offensive coordinator Garrick McGee from Louisville for the same job with the Illini. Indianapolis assistant Andrew Hayes-Stoker was announced as wide receivers coach Monday, while Luke Butkus was officially confirmed as offensive line coach last week..