CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — John Marinelli has been named Senior Analyst for the Illinois football team, head coach Bret Bielema announced. Marinelli will work directly with Bielema on special projects including analytics and situational strategy development. Marinelli comes to Champaign from Arizona, where he spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons as an analyst.

"We're very excited to have John and his family join us here in Champaign," said Bielema. "Growing up as a coach's son, he was able to see first hand how to build for success both on and off the field. He has a variety of experiences at the high school and collegiate level that brings a unique approach and skill set to our coaching staff."

"I am beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to work at the University of Illinois," said Marinelli. "This is a tremendous opportunity to work alongside the incredible people that Coach Bielema has filled the Smith Center with. There is truly a family atmosphere throughout the building and we can't wait to help spearhead Coach Bielema's vision for the Illini and mold our student-athletes into champions on and off the field."

Marinelli started his coaching career in the high school ranks, where he won multiple state titles in Connecticut. He was a two-time state champion player, then assistant coach, under his father Lou Marinelli at New Canaan before taking over as head coach at Greenwich. Marinelli's Greenwich teams went 36-10 in four seasons, including a 13-0 season in 2018 that ended in a 34-0 state title victory over New Canaan for the Class LL championship. He was awarded the 2018 USA TODAY Connecticut Coach of the Year.

Marinelli started his collegiate playing career at Fordham before transferring to Trinity (Conn.). He was a three-year starter and two-time all-conference selection for Trinity, leading the team to a 2008 conference title.

Marinelli and his wife Anna are expecting their first child, a son, in April.

Coaching Career