Antonio Fenelus named Illinois Defensive Backs Coach

Status
Not open for further replies.
#1      

Dan

Admin
"Antonio Fenelus is Illinois' new defensive backs coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced Friday. A former All-Big Ten first-team selection at Wisconsin, Fenelus has spent the last two seasons as a defensive analyst at LSU."


 
#2      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
"Antonio Fenelus is Illinois' new defensive backs coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced Friday. A former All-Big Ten first-team selection at Wisconsin, Fenelus has spent the last two seasons as a defensive analyst at LSU."



looks like a great hire
 
#5      
I'm dumbfounded. Hope it works out.
 
#6      

illinidarrin

from parts unknown
"Antonio Fenelus is Illinois' new defensive backs coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced Friday. A former All-Big Ten first-team selection at Wisconsin, Fenelus has spent the last two seasons as a defensive analyst at LSU."


Ok, this was something i didn't expect.
 
#7      

illinidarrin

from parts unknown
I don’t really know a lot about him. What are our thoughts?
I don't think anyone knows anything about him except for BB. Why not go after Hawthorne then if we were going to do this? He could be a perfect fit and good recruiter, i guess we will see now.
 
#9      

Dbell1981

Decatur, IL
I don't think anyone knows anything about him except for BB. Why not go after Hawthorne then if we were going to do this? He could be a perfect fit and good recruiter, i guess we will see now.
For 1 the guy played with coach Henry. Already has 2024 commitments to LSU for some top level defensive players. Lead recruiter for top 100 LB/S M. Williams II. Hopefully he can flip a couple to the O&B.
 
#10      
I don’t really know a lot about him. What are our thoughts?
No Idea Idk GIF by Emmys
 
#16      
I don't think anyone knows anything about him except for BB. Why not go after Hawthorne then if we were going to do this? He could be a perfect fit and good recruiter, i guess we will see now.
In reading the press release, he was definitely a great Big Ten player, he has coaching experience with DBs at some legit programs and coordinator experience (D2), and he’s from Florida.

BB knows him and is obviously comfortable with him. I didn’t know a lot about Henry either, so I trust him with this hire.

I get the thought process behind hiring former players but don’t think you do it if you feel you have someone better. I would like to see them hire someone with ties to St. Louis for one of the positions though. It feels like there is a lot of opportunity there in recruiting.
 
#19      

DeonThomas

South Carolina
Yeah, I'm bummed.

Neon Deon would have been a great DB coach --- and exceptional recruiter --- had BB been able to pry him away from his head coaching gig with the Buffs. (/s)
ok, since TH didnt get this spot, lets start banging the drum for Holecek for LB coach /s
Yeah, good thought. He played here. He'd kill it.
 
#21      
In reading the press release, he was definitely a great Big Ten player, he has coaching experience with DBs at some legit programs and coordinator experience (D2), and he’s from Florida.

BB knows him and is obviously comfortable with him. I didn’t know a lot about Henry either, so I trust him with this hire.

I get the thought process behind hiring former players but don’t think you do it if you feel you have someone better. I would like to see them hire someone with ties to St. Louis for one of the positions though. It feels like there is a lot of opportunity there in recruiting.
I can see your thought process for hiring someone with ties to St. Louis, but where to go for the real talented and fast DB’s are in deep South. This is a good hire.
 
#23      
Looks like a potentially great hire. Never thought Hawthorne was really much of an option. Yes, BB hired him for an off the field position, but how much of a relationship did he really have with him. BB values those relationships. Plus I think I read he and Henry were teammates. That would make it seem like the transition for Henry will be easier knowing he has someone he trusts working with that group. And sounds like he has some good recruiting chops. I’d say at worst it’s a solid hire with potential to be much more that that.
 
#24      
I don't think anyone knows anything about him except for BB. Why not go after Hawthorne then if we were going to do this? He could be a perfect fit and good recruiter, i guess we will see now.

The reason not to go after Hawthorne is - as explained by Coach BB - that Fenelus was next up when BB took over the IL job. AF interviewed for that position two years ago and apparently did extremely well. If ever there was a CB Coaching opening at IL it would have 110% gone to AF. Hawthorne should have known that - apparently everyone knew.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.