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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Trent Harris was promoted to outside linebackers coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced. Harris will work alongside Alex Panos in leading the outside linebackers room for the Fighting Illini.
“Since I first coached Trent when he was a player for the New England Patriots and then for the New York Giants, he has impressed me with his knowledge of the game, attention to detail, and commitment,” said Bielema. “I could not be more excited about what I saw from both Trent and Alex last season, especially with the way they handled preparations for the final three regular season games and the Citrus Bowl. Trent’s experiences as a college and NFL player and his unique ability to connect with people will be a major asset in our building and also on the road in recruiting.”
“My wife and I are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the staff at the University of Illinois,” said Harris. “I can’t thank Coach Bielema enough for all of the support from New England to New York and now to Champaign. I am honored to continue working and developing our outstanding outside linebacker room, both as players and people. It is an exciting time for Illini football under Coach Bielema’s leadership and I know the best is yet to come.”
Harris spent the 2024 season as the Illini’s assistant outside linebackers coach, helping Illinois to one of its best seasons in program history. The Fighting Illini finished the season 10-3, tying the program’s wins record, and earned a final ranking of #16 in the AP Top 25. The season was capped by a 21-17 victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in one of the biggest bowl wins in program history, as the Illini held the Gamecocks to 14 points under their season scoring average and South Carolina’s second-lowest scoring output of the season.
Harris, who took over leadership of the outside linebackers room for the final four games of 2024, helped guide one of the most productive outside linebacker groups in the Big Ten. The room included Phil Steele All-American Gabe Jacas, who finished…
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