Andy Buh (pronounced BOO) was named linebackers coach at Illinois in January 2021. Buh enters 2023 with 25 years of collegiate coaching experience, including four different stops as defensive coordinator in three Power-5 conferences.

Buh helped Illinois to its best season in 15 years in 2022. Buh helped in the development and execution of one of the nation’s best defensive schemes that ended the year nationally ranked #1 in scoring defense (12.8), #1 in takeaways (32), and #1 in pass efficiency defense (196.6). Illinois also ranked #3 in total defense (273.5), #10 in rushing defense (99.8), #7 in fewest first downs allowed (199), and  #9 in third down defense (30.1%). The Illini ended the 2022 season in the ReliaQuest Bowl, the first January bowl game since the 2008 Rose Bowl. Buh’s linebacker group was led by All-Big Ten honorable mention performers Isaac Darkangelo and Tarique Barnes. Darkangelo led the Illini in tackles with 71 and Illinois' rotation of three main linebackers combined for 139 tackles and 17.5 tackles for loss.

Buh was a part of one of the best defensive turnarounds in the nation in 2021, helping Illinois to a 5-7 record and ranked wins over #7 Penn State and #20 Minnesota. Illinois’ scoring defense (31st from 97th), third down defense (31st from 89th), and total defense (52nd from 114th) all improved more than 50 spots in the national rankings from 2020. The Illini made massive gains in the Big Ten defensive rankings, as well, jumping nine or more spots in scoring defense (4th from 14th), touchdowns allowed (t-3rd from 14th), yards allowed per game (5th from 14th), and passing yards allowed per game (1st from 10th).

Bielema and Buh spent the 2012 season together at Wisconsin helping the Badgers win the Big Ten Championship. He spent the 2020 season as outside linebackers coach at Arizona. Buh also spent time in the Big Ten as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Rutgers in 2019 and three years as defensive coordinator at Maryland from 2016-18. He also served as a coordinator earlier in his career at California, Nevada and Stanford.

Buh had a successful three-year run at Maryland, guiding a Terrapins defense that collected 37 sacks in 2016. Buh's defense allowed just one 300-yard passer in his first season at Maryland and allowed just 212.3 passing yards per game on the season. The following year, Buh's defense collected 10 interceptions and saw four players earn All-Big Ten honors.

While at Kentucky, Buh, who served as outside linebackers coach, helped a defense that allowed just 198.1 passing yards per game and forced nine fumbles on the season. Before coaching at Kentucky, Buh made his second stint in the Pac-12 at California, serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He spent the 2012 season with Bielema at Wisconsin coaching linebackers and helped the defense rank 15th in the nation in total defense.

Buh spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons at Nevada as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach when he helped the Wolf Pack defense improve from 96th nationally to 52nd in total defense. He spent the three seasons before Nevada at Stanford, first serving as the linebackers coach, before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator for his final two seasons. He helped guide the Cardinal to the Sun Bowl in 2009, the program's first bowl game since 2001.

Buh played collegiately at Palomar College and then at Nevada in 1993 and 1994, helping his team capture a Big West Championship. He began his coaching career at Nevada, serving as a graduate assistant in 1997 and 1998. Buh then coached defensive backs and special teams for the Wolf Pack, before moving on to California in 2000 as a defensive administrative assistant. He spent the next four seasons coaching linebackers at San Diego State, before spending the 2006 season at Fresno State.

He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education at Nevada in 1996. A native of Escondido, California, Buh and his wife, Kelly, have two sons, Luke and Logan.

Coaching Career