Coaching Staff | 2018 Tickets | Follow @IlliniFootball

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The 2018 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 60 seasons of combined NFL head and assistant coach experience is the most in college football in 2018, head of LSU (48) with the second-most. It marks the  third straight year the Illinois staff boasts the most NFL experience. 

NFL experience:
Lovie Smith – 19 seasons (11 head coach, 8 assistant/coordinator)
Gill Byrd - 13 seasons (assistant coach)
Bob Ligashesky – 12 seasons (assistant coach/coordinator)
Luke Butkus – 8 seasons (assistant coach)
Andrew Hayes-Stoker – 5 seasons (assistant coach)
Hardy Nickerson – 3 seasons (assistant coach)

Illini NFL Experience by the Numbers…
60 Seasons NFL Coaching Experience (most in NCAA)
11 Additional Seasons of NFL Staff Experience (non-coaching)
28 Seasons NFL Playing Experience
3 Super Bowl Appearances
1 Super Bowl Title
1 NFL Coach of the Year
+
86 Seasons NCAA Coaching Experience
1 NCAA Championship

The 20178 season opens on Sept. 1, when the Fighting Illini host Kent State (11 a.m. CT on BTN). Tickets are on sale now.