Illinois' Bret Bielema Welcomes New Additions To Football Coaching Staff

Shandel Richardson | Jul 27, 2024

Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

The Illinois Fighting Illini recently announced two new additions to the football program.

On Thursday, Trent Harris was named assistant linebackers coach while Dele Harding takes over as assistant running backs coach.

Coach Bret Bielema welcomed both to the program.

"Couldn't be more excitd to have you @trentharris33," Bielema posted on his X page.

Couldn’t be more excited to have you @trentharris33 #famILLy #ILL https://t.co/F5Eqjf0LLe

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) July 27, 2024

Harris played for the Miami Hurricanes from 2014-17 before a seven-year professional career in the NFL, XFL and UFL.

Welcome back @dele_harding #famILLy #ILL https://t.co/gyDTFEEGBp

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) July 27, 2024

Harding returns after playing linebacker for the Illini from 2016-19. He began his coaching career as a defensive assistant for the Houston Texans in 2020 under former Illini coach Lovie Smith.

MCCRAY TURNING HEADS IN THE BACKFIELD

A healthy Josh McCray has Bielema excited about the running back position. Not because McCray is full strength but the unit has impressed as a whole.

"I would say I don't think we have a 1A, I think we got a 1A, B, C, and D," he said at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis. "I'm super excited."

Josh McCray is back after a season he played only five games before a neck injury caused him to miss the rest of the season.

"I think Josh McCray is the best he has ever looked," Bielema said. "I'm really impressed with where he is at."

The Illini also have Kaden Feagin, who is coming off a strong freshman season with 405 rushing yards.

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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