O'Dell Hired As Quarterbacks Coach
January 26, 2001 | Football
Jan. 26, 2001
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- University of Illinois head football coach Ron Turner announced today the hiring of former Illini graduate assistant Dan O'Dell as quarterbacks coach. O'Dell will also become the assistant recruiting coordinator, aiding recruiting coordinator Coach Robert Jackson.
O'Dell, who has been working as quarterbacks coach at Bucknell University since December, was a graduate assistant for the Illini during the last three seasons. O'Dell assisted Coach Harry Hiestand with the offensive line as well as worked in football operations for one year.
"Dan is a former quarterback who has a great football mind," Turner said. "He was an outstanding college quarterback at San Jose State and has a bright future as a coach. Dan has a great approach to the game and will be a perfect fit in this coaching staff."
O'Dell graduated from San Jose State in 1998 with a degree in psychology. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Spartans and started at quarterback the last six games of his senior season. During those six weeks, O'Dell was named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week twice, throwing five touchdown passes and running for one in a 55-48 overtime victory over UNLV. San Jose State was 4-2 with O'Dell as a starter.
