Feb. 14--Illinois has turned to a former Bears assistant coach to help turn around its defense.
The Illini announced their hiring of Mike Phair as the team's co-defensive coordinator, sharing the duty with Tim Banks. Phair worked as the Bears' defensive line coach from 2011-2013.
"(Phair) is established as one of the rising defensive line coaches in the profession and is greatly prepared to take on the role as our co-defensive coordinator," coach Tim Beckman said in a statement released Friday."
Phair, who has 13 years of NFL experience, also will serve as the Illinois defensive line coach.
The Illini reportedly were set to hire Missouri defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski late last month, but he decided to remain with the Tigers.
Illinois' defense could use some work.
In the last three seasons under Beckman, the Illini have finished in the bottom three of the Big Ten in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense. They were last in all three categories last season (456.4 yards per game, 34 points per game and 239.2 rushing yards per game).
Phair spent last season as the assistant defensive line coach with the Buccaneers. He previously worked six seasons with the Seahawks as a defensive assistant and a regional scout.
His college coaching experience dates to the 1999-2000 season at his alma mater, Arizona State, and in 2001 with Tiffin University.
sryan@tribpub.com
