Rob Delaney is in his third season as an offensive graduate assistant at Illinois in 2020.

Delaney helped Illinois reach the 2019 Redbox Bowl, the Illini’s first bowl in five years, after a 6-6 regular season that included a win over No. 6 Wisconsin and the biggest comeback in program history in a win at Michigan State. He coached OT Alex Palczewski to a third team All-Big Ten selection, while OG Kendrick Green and C Doug Kramer were honorable mention picks. Green was a Pro Football Focus honorable mention All-American and the No. 6 graded offensive guard in the nation and No. 2 in Power-5. Kramer was the No. 8 graded center in the nation and No. 3 in Power-5.

Delaney helped Illinois make a huge turnaround on offense under new offensive coordaintor Rod Smith in 2018. The new Illinois offense leaped in the national rankings to 12th in rushing yards per game (+110 spots in the rankings), second in 40+ yard runs (+93), 51st in yards per play (+73) and 62nd in total offense (+64).

Delaney came to Illinois from Ohio Wesleyan, where he served as the tight ends coach in 2017. He got his start in coaching at his alma mater Dayton, where he served as a student assistant coach for the 2016 season, working with the Flyers’ offensive line and special teams.

During his playing career, Delaney was the Dayton’s long snapper for four years, also seeing action as a reserve offensive lineman. He was a second-team all-league selection as a long snapper and a two-time member of the league’s Academic Honor Roll. In 2012, he was named the Flyers’ Newcomer of the Year. Delaney is a 2016 graduate of Dayton.Delaney is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and helped Loyola Acadmey to back-to-back state title game appearances during his prep career.