Jan. 26--Illinois' football team was ready to upgrade its defense. But the Illini's target didn't go along with the plan.
The Illini offered Missouri defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski a job as a co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach, but in a statement on Monday, he turned down the position.
Illinois fired defensive line coach Greg Colby earlier this month.
The Illini defense has struggled, ranking at the bottom last season in the Big Ten in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and pass defense efficiency categories. Tim Banks has served as the Illini defensive coordinator for three seasons.
Kuligowski has been with the Tigers for 15 seasons and was considered as a candidate for the team's defensive coordinator job before he was bypassed for Barry Odom from Memphis.
He has helped develop two All-American players and three first-round NFL draft picks in Ziggy Hood, Aldon Smith and Sheldon Richardson.
Neither team has confirmed the report.
sryan@tribpub.com
Twitter @sryantribune
