Illini Football 2023

[Illinirog70]

Well and we just sorta reap the benefit in a way.

The people who are most engaging and relatable to young people (read: players and recruits) at 50 were the people who were the biggest messes at 30.

And from what I understand of his background, he's the kind of guy that would close the bar out and then be in the gym lifting more than anybody at 6AM the next morning, and this is his assistant coach days, not just as a player.

The guy is a dynamo and not a person of half measures, for good or ill. I'm sure he's now a 200% husband and a 200% father just like he's a 200% everything else.

I wanted to add that, like most of us, when he got married and had kids his perspective changed on the things important in life. As a result his behavior altered radically. His devotion to his family (obviously not faked) is now a huge part of his life and was missing until his mid-30's.

I've had my prat-falls since marriage, but my life wouldn't be half of what it is now without my darling, gracious wife.

He'd likely say the same....

 

[Mr. Tibbs]

Who is Tyler Mcclure? That one got past me.

neighbor to BB.
he played juco baseball the past year or two
his father played baseball for UI, mom played volleyball.
hes likely a very very good athlete, but unless hes got hands like Fred Belitnikoff and can jump like Michael Jordan, he probably wont play much on Saturdays

 

[NJJ871]

neighbor to BB.
he played juco baseball the past year or two
his father played baseball for UI, mom played volleyball.
hes likely a very very good athlete, but unless hes got hands like Fred Belitnikoff and can jump like Michael Jordan, he probably wont play much on Saturdays

But what if he's got speed like Willie Gault, and hands like Willie Gault...wait, that didn't work.

 

[IlliniFan85]

Who is Tyler Mcclure? That one got past me.

Troy's son!

 

[SescIllini]

Nicario Harper going to be a good one. Nico has a message for you

 

[Dan]

Charlie Bullen Named OLB Coach/Pass Rush Coordinator - University of Illinois Athletics

Bullen joins the Fighting Illini with 11 years of NFL coaching experience, including the last four years with the Arizona Cardinals.

fightingillini.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1619349648367386624

 

[ILLINIShox24]

Interesting add. Nice resume with a lot of NFL experience. I trust BB.

Years	University	Position
2023	Illinois	Outside Linebackers Coach/Pass Rush Coordinator
2020-22	Arizona Cardinals	Outside Linebackers Coach
2019	Arizona Cardinals	Assistant Linebackers Coach
2016-18	Miami Dolphins	Assistant Linebackers Coach
2013-15	Miami Dolphins	Assistant Defensive Line Coach
2012	Miami Dolphins	Defensive Assistant
2009-11	Iowa	Graduate Assistant (Defensive Backs)
2007-08	Iowa	Student Assistant (Quarterbacks)

 

[Point-Illinois]

Quick, someone give me a quick analysis and let me know how I should feel!

(Never heard of Charlie)

 

[illini0440]

Quick, someone give me a quick analysis and let me know how I should feel!

(Never heard of Charlie)

To be fair how many OLB coaches have you heard of? He’s coached some good pass rushers and is a pass rush specialist which is what Bret wanted. I’m sure Bret and Aaron talked to JJ about him as well.

 

[mhuml32]

Chicago guy (Palatine), young enough to feel confident about his recruiting potential, coached some dudes at Arizona (Chandler Jones) that make a good pitch for current and future guys.

 

[SactownIllini]

To be fair how many OLB coaches have you heard of? He’s coached some good pass rushers and is a pass rush specialist which is what Bret wanted. I’m sure Bret and Aaron talked to JJ about him as well.

Seems like a fantastic get as a coach. Hope he's a good recruiter too. I think many of us were pipe dream hopium-ing for another former Arizona Cardinal. But in Bret I trust.

I just have to say I have so much orange and blue blood that my blood bubbles a bit when we add former Badgers or Hawkeyes to the staff. I have no problem when it results in bowl games however

Welcome Charlie. Go Illini.

 

[illiniswish09]

I am very close to the situation. Chuck was torn on the idea of leaving the NFL but Bret sold him HARD, may have even tossed a little more $$$. He’s thrilled to come home. Players are going to LOVE playing for him, he will turn into a special recruiter. I-L-L

 

[bergd91]

This is a great hire. The pitch to young men on D side will be easy selling. Still confused why THawwthorne was not brought back vs.
Coaches former player at wisky?

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

I love this hire. In today’s game, you have to be able to rush the passer. That means you have to be able to recruit them and develop them. Here’s a guy who has helped develop/worked with some of the best in NFL. Though we don’t know how well he will recruit yet, the previous sentence is a good start to his recruiting pitch. And we have some pretty good recruiters on staff and with BB from which to learn. Throw in that he is from Illinois and sprinkle in a little B1G experience, and I think we’re talking about a very good hire that could turn out to be a great one.

 

[illini0440]

This is a great hire. The pitch to young men on D side will be easy selling. Still confused why THawwthorne was not brought back vs.
Coaches former player at wisky?

Why? We have to get over bringing people back just because they played here.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

Why? We have to get over bringing people back just because they played here.

Yep. It is a nice bonus, but it shouldn’t be the starting point or reason for a hire.

 

[Mistakenj]

Why? We have to get over bringing people back just because they played here.

Agreed, and where it makes sense and he has knowledge of what they bring to the table, he's done that. See, McDonald, George.

 

[illini80]

Why? We have to get over bringing people back just because they played here.

I don’t think we have to have IL guys, but TH has always been highly spoken of as a future coach. In fact, we wrote off a specific school for a couple years just to get him on staff if IRCC.

That said, I have no issue with whomever Bret hires. He has proven he will bring in the right guys and I certainly won’t be second guessing him! Look forward to having Charlie Bullen as part of the FAMILLY!

 

[illini0440]

I don’t think we have to have IL guys, but TH has always been highly spoken of as a future coach. In fact, we wrote off a specific school for a couple years just to get him on staff if IRCC.

That said, I have no issue with whomever Bret hires. He has proven he will bring in the right guys and I certainly won’t be second guessing him! Look forward to having Charlie Bullen as part of the FAMILLY!

Just signed 2 kids from the specific school. Brought him in the help repair the relationship with that specific school

 

[illini80]

Just signed 2 kids from the specific school. Brought him in the help repair the relationship with that specific school

For the record, I’m not being critical of the decision.

 

[LFOD]

Bullen's got three daughters, so I'm thinking this is just a ploy to find playmates for Bielema's daughters.

But seriously, looks like a good hire.

 

[Chukwuwumba]

Quick, someone give me a quick analysis and let me know how I should feel!

(Never heard of Charlie)

Let me go check Reddit and get back to you lol /s

 

[illini0440]

For the record, I’m not being critical of the decision.

Oh I know.

 

[Point-Illinois]

Oh I know.

Curious of your thoughts on this @illini0440

On our initial staff, we had several guys that had prior DC experience:
- BB, Walters, Kane and Buh

Henry and Jamison were the only ones that hadn’t called a D before.

Now we have:
- BB, Buh, Henry has called one game, and Fenelus has called at the D-2 level

Jamison and Bullen haven’t called a D.

While we still have the same number of former DCs on the staff, there is less high level experience.

Is that on purpose since we aren’t creating a defense anymore but are instead maintaining it? Or are we still following the “prior DC” formula but just don’t have as much experience this go-round?

Or is it all coincidental?

 

[TentakilRex]

Interesting add. Nice resume with a lot of NFL experience. I trust BB.

Years	University	Position
2023	Illinois	Outside Linebackers Coach/Pass Rush Coordinator
2020-22	Arizona Cardinals	Outside Linebackers Coach
2019	Arizona Cardinals	Assistant Linebackers Coach
2016-18	Miami Dolphins	Assistant Linebackers Coach
2013-15	Miami Dolphins	Assistant Defensive Line Coach
2012	Miami Dolphins	Defensive Assistant
2009-11	Iowa	Graduate Assistant (Defensive Backs)
2007-08	Iowa	Student Assistant (Quarterbacks)

Arizona hum.? I wonder if Bullen seen some of Air Raid offense in practice or in games (mild /s)? Could be useful against Purdue and Wisconsin (still weird to type that).