He was a former 2nd round pick and played the position. Fenelus was definitely in over his head
Coaching Carousel (Football)
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He was a former 2nd round pick and played the position. Fenelus was definitely in over his head
I don’t care where a guy was drafted. I’m not hiring rashard mendenhall to come and coach RBs.
What part that this year was going to be a rebuilding year didn't y'all understand??? Pretty sure it's all part of an established plan that we knew about. Coach B didn't want to push Henry out... We forced his hand!!! You whinny malcontents!!! Lol ILL
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Like any other Illini fan I had moments where I wanted Henry to be shot out of a cannon last year, and no doubt the third down approach was regularly unsuccessful, but I do feel like the conversation about this defense belies the fact that it was 49th of 136 in FBS in yardage and 62nd in points against. It wasn't THAT bad, and could definitely get worse.
I guess it's nice to have the program in a good enough spot to worry about this stuff before spring ball even hits 
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Yes, when fans scream to fire coaches it’s because they believe there’s only one way to go: up.
But a team/position group is just as likely to stay the same, if not get worse, by a coaching change as it is to get better.
I’m cautiously optimistic. Bret’s given me happy fan moments, so I trust him, but I’d also be slightly more confident in next year’s defense with Henry and the D-Line returning than I am starting over from scratch (outside of the secondary).
Dan
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2:00pm Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator Bobby Hauck
fightingillini.com
Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator - Bobby Hauck
Video: Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator - Bobby Hauck. General
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Here’s from Sintims Bio I would hardly say he did nothing before he came here.
Sintim joined the Fighting Illini from Virginia, where he spent the previous four years as a defensive coach. He coached Virginia’s defensive line from 2020-21, before switching to the team’s linebackers coach from 2022-23.
Sintim is a 10-year veteran in college coaching, which has followed his All-American playing career at Virginia and four years in the NFL. After playing in the 2009 Senior Bowl, Sintim was a second-round NFL Draft selection by the New York Giants. He played in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons for the Giants, before a knee injury sidelined him for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Sintim announced his retirement as a player in 2013, after an NFL career that included a Super Bowl XLVI championship when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 21-17, in Indianapolis.
Last season, Sintim coached Virginia true freshman linebacker Kam Robinson to multiple Freshman All-America honors. Robinson made eight starts and appeared in all 12 games for the Cavaliers in 2023, ranking third among FBS true freshmen in tackles with 71, which led all ACC true freshmen. Robinson added 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries, and two interceptions, including a pick-6 against then-No. 11 Louisville to tie the game at 14-14 in the third quarter on Nov. 9.
Sintim helped the Virginia defense make big improvements in 2022, including All-ACC linebacker Nick Jackson. Virginia ranked No. 3 in the ACC in pass defense, No. 5 in average sacks per game, and No. 5 in passing efficiency. The Cavaliers ranked No. 24 in the nation in yards per play (4.97) and were 29th in points surrendered per possession. In the 2022 matchup with Georgia Tech, the defense racked up eight sacks, the second-highest single-game total in program history. Jackson, who led the ACC and ranked ninth in the nation with 10.4 tackles per game, was Virginia’s defensive MVP.
Sintim’s defensive line helped Virginia finish No. 11 in the nation with 3.2 sacks per game in 2020. Virginia’s 32 sacks ranked No. 6 all-time on the program’s single-season list, as 9.5 of those sacks were registered by defensive linemen.
fightingillini.com
Sintim joined the Fighting Illini from Virginia, where he spent the previous four years as a defensive coach. He coached Virginia’s defensive line from 2020-21, before switching to the team’s linebackers coach from 2022-23.
Sintim is a 10-year veteran in college coaching, which has followed his All-American playing career at Virginia and four years in the NFL. After playing in the 2009 Senior Bowl, Sintim was a second-round NFL Draft selection by the New York Giants. He played in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons for the Giants, before a knee injury sidelined him for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Sintim announced his retirement as a player in 2013, after an NFL career that included a Super Bowl XLVI championship when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 21-17, in Indianapolis.
Last season, Sintim coached Virginia true freshman linebacker Kam Robinson to multiple Freshman All-America honors. Robinson made eight starts and appeared in all 12 games for the Cavaliers in 2023, ranking third among FBS true freshmen in tackles with 71, which led all ACC true freshmen. Robinson added 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries, and two interceptions, including a pick-6 against then-No. 11 Louisville to tie the game at 14-14 in the third quarter on Nov. 9.
Sintim helped the Virginia defense make big improvements in 2022, including All-ACC linebacker Nick Jackson. Virginia ranked No. 3 in the ACC in pass defense, No. 5 in average sacks per game, and No. 5 in passing efficiency. The Cavaliers ranked No. 24 in the nation in yards per play (4.97) and were 29th in points surrendered per possession. In the 2022 matchup with Georgia Tech, the defense racked up eight sacks, the second-highest single-game total in program history. Jackson, who led the ACC and ranked ninth in the nation with 10.4 tackles per game, was Virginia’s defensive MVP.
Sintim’s defensive line helped Virginia finish No. 11 in the nation with 3.2 sacks per game in 2020. Virginia’s 32 sacks ranked No. 6 all-time on the program’s single-season list, as 9.5 of those sacks were registered by defensive linemen.
Clint Sintim - Outside Linebackers Coach - Staff Directory - University of Illinois Athletics
Clint Sintim spent one season as Illinois' outside linebackers coach in 2024. Sintim coached one of the most productive outside linebacker groups in the Big
fightingillini.com
Feel like both of those stats held up as support are improved by us playing a slower tempo.
Defensive Points Per Drive was 100 out of 136 per BCFToys.com. No idea how bad the IU/OSU games swing that number, but while we could do worse we also could improve.
Thank you for posting this.2:00pm Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator Bobby Hauck
Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator - Bobby Hauck
Video: Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator - Bobby Hauck. General
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I like him. No idea if he will be a great DC, but I like him.2:00pm Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator Bobby Hauck
Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator - Bobby Hauck
Video: Introductory Press Conference Defensive Coordinator - Bobby Hauck. General
a no nonsense, old school coach. imo, his style is exactly what we need.
and hoping he can help attract a few dudes with a year or two eligibility left to come over and experience B1G football
People would have said Indiana didn’t have difference maker when Cignetti took over the program in 2024. You couldn’t name one player on the team In Cignetti’s first season at Indiana. 2024 Indiana was 30th in the transfer portal in 2025 Indiana was 25th in the transfer portal. Iowa hardly does anything in the transfer portal and they are consistently near the top of the Big Ten. Bret has Always Said ILLINOIS IS A DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM. What part of developmental don’t you understand. Very few players are going to be a Keaton Wagler. Players have to play to develop into good and eventually great players. Bret said the 2026 class is the most talented class he’s recruited in his career. He also said he would not be surprised if some of the incoming players started this upcoming season. Every player has to start from somewhere to become great or difference makers. Look at players like Luke. Was Luke a difference maker his first season at Illinois? He turned out to be one the quarterbacks in Illinois history. What Pat Bryant, Devon Witherspoon, Sydney Brown, etc . I can go down the list of Illinois football players that developed into great players . You have to start somewhere. Give the players and coaches a chance to show what they can do. The schedule is not that hard next season. All losing teams with exceptions of Iowa , Ohio State, Oregon and Duke . Duke lost their quarterback. Purdue, Northwestern, Michigan State, UCLA, Nebraska. Maryland UAB , Southern Illinois, all winnable games. I’m calling 8-4 at least
I appreciate your honesty and not being pulled into group think. It feels like this was the inevitable outcome for the time to took to help AHen to a solid job offer at ND instead of firing him at the end of the season and before the bowl game…which was more than warranted. I understand signing day was a factor in the timing too.
BB’s relationship management with AH hurt us. I’d argue the decision to keep him on staff this past year with a generational QB and CFP-worth offense hurt a lot more. I am very concerned about the front 6 starters and 2-deep heading into next year. Some major development needs to take place this spring and summer.
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Prior to Bielema, assistant football coaches at Illinois had territories, so recruits were rarely being recruited by their position coach.
I got to know Brian Urlacher while he was a Lobo. Beerman does remind me of him, with the exception he can't play running back, TE, and receiver on offense like Urlachler did and effectively. Oh ya, he punted. If Beerman steps up, he is perfect for new D scheme. Have a ton of fast db, linebacker hybrids is a requirement in this defense. Could be fun, if not done correctly we will give up 40pts.. every game.
We also had 14 more commits than Iowa and 11 more than Indiana.
Not saying our prep recruiting wasn’t awesome this year (it was), but these rankings ignore quality to some extent when you water it down.
The returning core seniors should feast in this new scheme. Concerned about Dline, well because its still the Big10. Giving up 200 yards on 20 carries equals losses. CoachB has earned a right to make huge changes and time.
You might not like what I say. But I refuse to go along with a group. Appreciate your views as well and could not agree more.
I think Bret has some dirt on his hands with the whole Henry thing. He was simply looking out for the betterment of his friend/mentee and not the program. I doubt Bret will allow that to happen again. But he definitely allowed his feelings to get in the way of the program for the past year.
We were told we were getting upgrades in the portal. It’s almost March and we’re not getting visitors that Werner or anyone else is reporting. I’m sure these magical waiver guys are out there. But if this is it… man. Hauck has got some serious issues.
Specifically, what dirt? and what is the "Whole Henry thing?" If am not mistaken Illinois football has had its best 5 year tenure in modern history under Bielema. Sounds like either personal bias or simply trying to create something that doesn't exist. Illinois' retention of assistants is far higher than average, while pay of assistant's is lower than average. Couple that with a program that had 3 winning seasons in the 20 years prior to BB arriving not seeing what you see.
First of all. Please produce a single stat which shows that Illinois retains at a higher level than average with lower pay.
Secondly, the defense held this team back. I’m sure even you can agree with that right? Program missed a CFP birth because of how bad the defense performed last year. Bret knew there were issues on that side of the ball at the staff level and did not address them. He fired Tony Peterson after 1 year when it didn’t work. Why didn’t he do the same to Henry? We all know the reason. He let him even get a soft landing and that put us behind the 8ball this offseason. We won games in spite of the staffing choices on the defensive side of the ball. Not because we decided to keep a DC we pushed out at the end of the year.
You can make a legit argument that Bret keeping Henry cost the team a chance at the playoff's. The fact is they asked for him to leave and he took a demotion. If they do that right after the season we probably end up with more talent out of the portal. Instead, we waited to let Henry have a softer landing and now have the 59th ranked portal class and multiple staff openings. What aren't you getting about that?
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