Coaching Staff | 2017 Tickets | Follow @IlliniFootball

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The 2017 Fighting Illini football coaching staff, led by Lovie Smith, is loaded with experience from both the NFL and college levels. In fact, the Illini staff's 56 seasons of combined NFL head and assistant coach experience is the most in college football in 2017, ahead of UCLA (45), Michigan (40), Baylor (38) and Alabama (34). It marks the second straight year the Illinois staff boasts the most NFL experience. 

Of the 10 full-time coaches, seven have NFL experience:
Lovie Smith – 19 seasons (11 head coach, 8 assistant/coordinator)
Bob Ligashesky – 12 seasons (assistant coach/coordinator)
Luke Butkus – 8 seasons (assistant coach)
Mike Phair – 7 seasons (assistant coach)
Andrew Hayes-Stoker – 5 seasons (assistant coach)
Hardy Nickerson – 3 seasons (assistant coach)
Garrick McGee – 2 season (assistant coach)

Illini NFL Experience by the Numbers…

56 Seasons NFL Coaching Experience (most in NCAA)
9 Additional Seasons of NFL Staff Experience (non-coaching)
24 Seasons NFL Playing Experience
3 Super Bowl Appearances
1 Super Bowl Title
1 NFL Coach of the Year
+
99 Seasons NCAA Coaching Experience
1 NCAA Championship

The 2017 season opens on Sept. 2, when the Fighting Illini host Ball State (11 a.m. CT on BTN). Tickets are on sale now.