Ben Dessauer is in his second season on the Illinois football staff as player personnel assistant in 2026.

During his first season in Champaign in 2025, Dessauer helped the Illini to nine wins, a victory over #23 Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, and a final ranking of #25 in the Coaches Poll. He also helped Illinois sign the #21 recruiting class in the nation in December 2025, the highest-ranked class in Illinois history 

Dessauer joined the Fighting Illini from Ball State, where he was the program's assistant director of player personnel. Prior to Ball State, Dessauer was at Butler, where he was the director of player personnel from 2023-24 after previously working as a recruiting analyst in 2022. At Butler, he completed daily player evaluations and maintained the program's transfer and recruiting boards. Dessauer also contributed to organizing official and unofficial visits and game day operations.

Prior to Butler, Dessauer worked for Sports Info Solutions and held internships with BLESTO Scouting, the Fan Controlled Football League, and College Gridiron Showcase. His first coaching job was with Guerin Catholic High School as an assistant.

Dessauer earned his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from the University of Cincinnati in 2021. He is a native of Noblesville, Indiana.