CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois baseball head coach Dan Hartleb announced today the addition of Cameron Hill to the coaching staff.
Hill will handle pitching coach duties while Mark Allen is on health-related leave.
"We were excited to have Cameron Hill join our staff once Mark Allen learned of his diagnosis," Hartleb said. "We have created a plan with Coach Hill and Coach Allen that will give our student-athletes the best opportunity for success, while allowing Coach Allen to focus on his health."
"Coach Hill's accomplished playing career in professional baseball, all the way up to the Major Leagues, has already provided a huge benefit for our program. In addition to his success on the field, Coach Hill's time training and working with Coach Allen has given him an important level of familiarity with our pitchers, team, and university. We are thrilled and fortunate to welcome Coach Hill to Champaign."
Hill, a native of Oklahoma City, attended Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla., and was selected in the 17th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians.
After spending six seasons climbing through the ranks of the Cleveland system, Hill had his contract selected by the Indians on July 23, 2020, and made the Opening Day roster. He made his MLB debut on July 26, 2020, vs. Kansas City and would go on to appear in 18 games in the 2020 season, going 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA, picking up 16 strikeouts.
"I'm grateful I can help out Coach Allen and Coach Hartleb and I'm grateful I can help out the Fighting Illini baseball program," Hill said. "I'm here to give the guys everything that I can give them and do my best to put them in positions where they can succeed. I'm going to be here day in and day out for these guys."
