Defensive coordinator Tim Banks leaves as Illinois shuffles coaching staff

Dec. 18--Illinois defensive coordinator Tim Banks is leaving the program to "pursue other interests," coach Bill Cubit announced Friday.

The move leaves Mike Phair, who served as co-defensive coordinator last season, solely in charge of the position. Cubit also promoted his son, Ryan Cubit, to offensive coordinator after he served as quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator this year.

"Ryan was basically the offensive coordinator this past season," Bill Cubit said. "We worked very closely on the offensive game plan during the week. We have very similar thoughts on our offense."

Banks was with Illinois for four seasons and becomes the fourth assistant to leave the program since the season ended. Cubit said Banks would have maintained a co-defensive coordinator role with Phair had he returned, but he decided to move on.

"Sometimes coordinators, you want it to be (your) full responsibility," said Cubit, who called it an amicable separation. "I wanted to mesh it a little, and he wasn't comfortable."

Cubit filled two of the four vacancies Friday by hiring A.J. Ricker as offensive line coach and Jeff Hecklinski as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator.

Ricker replaces Tom Brattan, who was not retained, while Hecklinski replaces Alex Golesh, who left to join Iowa State's staff. Linebackers coach Mike Ward also was not retained.

Ricker returns to Illinois, where he was offensive line coach in 2013, after two seasons at Missouri. He was also Cubit's offensive line coach at Western Michigan in 2011-12. New Missouri coach Barry Odom did not retain Ricker after the Tigers finished 124th in total offense this season and 119th in rushing.

Hecklinski, a former Illinois quarterback (1992-93), spent 2015 at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo after four seasons at Michigan.

Cubit said the additions should bolster recruiting efforts.

"Jeff brings back a lot of contacts. A.J. brings back a lot of contacts," Cubit said. "You mold that into what we've already done, and the avenues out there are a lot more now."

Another former Illinois quarterback, all-time total offense leader Nathan Scheelhaase (2010-13), was named running backs coach after serving in that role on an interim basis in 2015.

Candidates have been identified for the final two assistant positions, and Cubit said he expects to make announcements after the coaches finish their bowl obligations.