March 31, 2011

The University of Illinois hosts coaches from around the state this weekend, as the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) comes to Champaign. The event runs from March 31-April 2 at Memorial Stadium, the Hilton Garden Inn and Hawthorn Suites, with Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook and ESPN analyst and Super Bowl Champion Coach Jon Gruden serving as the clinic's headline speakers. (UPDATE 4/2 - Jon Gruden did not speak at the clinic due to travel problems)

Clinic sessions begin on Thursday night with the Illinois assistant coaches and a chalk talk and a social hour with the staff will take place later in the evening. The clinic continues Friday with sessions led by fellow high school and college coaches, followed by skill, drills and technique demonstrations at Memorial Stadium. After two sessions on Saturday, the latest high school coach Hall of Fame class will be inducted at a banquet with an Illinois practice to follow at 2 p.m.

2011 IHSFCA Hall of Fame inductees: Dave Bates, Gary Bilyea, Craig Bundy, Jesse Chick, Buck Drach, Dan Easterday, Mike Gaspari, Terry Grider, Bruce Kay, Jerry Lano, Wayne Lunack, Tim Mash, Mick Peterson, Bill Smith, Jim Unruh, Greg Vidoni and John Wakey. The winner of the 2011 Ray Eliot Award is Hal Chiodo.

Click HERE for more information on the clinic.