Jul. 29—Illinois football opened its fall training camp Monday with workouts and meetings set to be followed by a nighttime practice at Memorial Stadium. Here’s some of what Illini coach Bret Bielema and coordinators Aaron Henry and Barry Lunney Jr. had to say, from beat writer Scott Richey:
More instruction
Bielema rounded out his 2024 coaching staff in the last week with the additions of senior offensive assistant Dana Dimel, senior analyst Myers Hendrickson and a pair of assistant position coaches in Trent Harris (outside linebackers) and former Illini Dele Harding (running backs). Bielema waited to fill what became Dimel and Hendrickson’s roles because he was waiting on the rule change that would allow more staffers to take on on-field coaching duties.
“We have about 20-plus bodies now that can actively coach,” Bielema said. “To touch our players on a more individualized basis. To get more individualized coaching, development and even film sessions. We can do a lot more one-on-one. I think that helps everybody.”
Acclimatizing early
Illinois got some of its transfers on campus last semester, allowing them to participate in spring practices and get a jumpstart on their acclimation process to a new program. Others, like defensive backs Terrance Brooks and Torrie Cox Jr. and defensive lineman Gentle Hunt arrived in Champaign this summer. They got some work in with strength and conditioning coach Tank Wright, but training camp marks their first real foray into Illini football.
“It’s just a matter of how do they handle what we’re giving them?” Henry said about his new, but experienced, defensive players. “How do they handle the new calls, the new adjustments to the calls? They’re coming from a completely different system. This is our first time doing ball with some of those cats.”
Run commitment
Illinois’ rushing/passing split in 2023 didn’t quite hit the balance the coaching staff was seeking. A slew of injuries that affected every running back — none played in all 12 games — didn’t hurt, as the Illini averaged 391 yards of offense last fall with two-thirds coming through the air. The plan for 2024? A commitment to the run game that now features a healthy group of running backs to carry the load.
“As the play caller, it starts with me, the way we structure things and the way we play,” Lunney said. “We’ve done some things in the offseason to help enhance what we’ve been doing and how we’ve been doing it. We’ve got to go do it when it comes down to it. We’re going to be a better football team if we can run the ball effectively. Then, obviously, defend the run. That’s our saying, and that’s just what good football teams do. We’ve got to run the ball better, certainly, on our end.”
The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
