Andrew Hayes-Stoker is in his fifth season at Illinois in 2020 after being named wide receivers coach in March 2016 by head coach Lovie Smith. Hayes-Stoker joined Smith’s staff that had more combined years of NFL coaching experience than any other program in the nation.

Hayes-Stoker had previously worked under Smith with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a total of nine seasons, including five in coaching roles.

“Andrew Hayes-Stoker is one of the brightest young coaches in the game,” said Smith. “Since joining our staff with the Bears, I’ve seen him continue to learn the game and develop as a teacher. I know he’ll be outstanding in coaching our receivers and as a recruiter.”

Last year, Hayes-Stoker helped Illinois to the 2019 Redbox Bowl, the program's first bowl in five years, after two of the most memorable victories in Illini history. Illinois clinched bowl eligibility with a 37-34 win at Michigan State in the biggest comeback in program history. Illinois trailed 28-3 in the second quarter and 31-10 entering the fourth to tie the largest fourth-quarter comeback in a Big Ten game in the last 40 seasons by outscoring Michigan State 27-3 in the fourth quarter. Illinois' 27 fourth-quarter points were the most by an opponent in the 96-year, 544-game history of Michigan State's Spartan Stadium.

Hayes-Stoker also helped coach the Fighting Illini to one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history with a 24-23 victory over No. 6 Wisconsin on Oct. 19, 2019. Illinois entered the day as a 30-point underdog before Jake McCourt's 39-yard field goal as time expired sent Illini fans rushing to the Memorial Stadium field in one of the greatest Homecoming scenes in University of Illinois history. The Wisconsin victory sprung Illinois to four straight Big Ten wins, the first four-game Big Ten winning streak for the Fighting Illini since the 2001 Big Ten Championship. Illinois finished the 2019 regular season 6-6 and 4-5 in the Big Ten.

In 2018, Hayes-Stoker helped Illinois' new-look offense make huge gains under offensive coordinator Rod Smith. Illinois jumped 64 spots in the national rankings for total offense, averaging 408.7 yards per game (62nd nationally). 

In his second year, Hayes-Stoker helped the progression of freshman Ricky Smalling to BTN.com All-Freshman Team honorable mention status, as Smalling tied Turner for the team-lead in receptions and led the team in receiving yards during his first year in Champaign. Smalling became the fourth true freshman in program history to lead the Illini in receiving yards.

Hayes-Stoker helped Malik Turner become one of the top receivers in the Big Ten during his first year in Champaign. Turner, Illinois’ junior No. 1 target, was sixth in the Big Ten in receptions per game (4.4) and seventh in receiving touchdowns (6) during the regular season. He increased his per game averages by over one catch and 22 yards year-over-year with Hayes-Stoker’s arrival, despite the Illini having to start three different quarterbacks throughout the year due to injuries.

Hayes-Stoker joined the Fighting Illini staff from the Indianapolis Colts, where he was hired as Assistant to the Head Coach on February 9. He worked as the wide receivers coach for Tampa Bay for two seasons (2014-15) and has eight years of coaching experience, including five seasons in the NFL.

Hayes-Stoker was key in the development of Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans, a first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) in 2014. Evans caught 142 passes for 2,257 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons, including a franchise-record 12 touchdown catches during his rookie season. Evans and Vincent Jackson (1,002 receiving yards) became the first Buccaneers teammates to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in the same season in 2014.

Smith elevated Hayes-Stoker to assistant wide receivers coach with the Chicago Bears in 2010, after he was an operations and offensive assistant with the organization for four years. Hayes-Stoker worked on Smith’s coaching staff in Chicago for three seasons, before rejoining Smith in Tampa Bay from 2014-15.

In between Hayes-Stoker’s stints in the NFL under Smith, he spent the 2013 season at Florida International as the running backs coach. At FIU, Hayes-Stoker worked under former Illini head coach Ron Turner. 

Hayes-Stoker also has collegiate coaching experience at Texas A&M, where he was an offensive quality control graduate assistant in 2005. He started his career in college football as an admission counselor at his alma mater, TCU, in 2004.

Hayes-Stoker was a running back at TCU and was named to the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA all-academic teams, as well as All-America scholar honors.

Hayes-Stoker was a star high school player out of Arlington (Texas) Lamar. As a senior, he was named the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Offensive Player of the Year, Arlington Morning News Offensive Player of the Year and District Most Valuable Player. He signed to play at Tulsa in 1997 before transferring to TCU in 1998.

Hayes-Stoker graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in education from TCU. He is a native of Arlington, Texas.

Hayes-Stoker Coaching History