Illini hire Roger Cooper as inside linebackers coach

Illinois has appointed Roger Cooper as the new inside linebackers coach, while current assistant Archie McDaniel will transition to coaching outside linebackers. Cooper previously worked under Illinois' new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck at Montana, where he served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. His addition marks the second former Montana assistant to join Hauck at Illinois, alongside safeties coach Ronnie Bradford. Cooper's hiring is part of Illinois' efforts to implement Hauck's defensive scheme effectively. The team still seeks to fill the positions of defensive line coach and running backs coach. Head Coach Bret Bielema praised Cooper's extensive defensive experience, anticipating his contributions to the Illini's linebacker tradition.