South Florida after Disch

South Florida coach Jim Leavitt has offered his defensive coordinator position to Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch, a source close to the program told The News-Gazette tonight.

Disch is expected to make a decision sometime in the next 24 hours.

South Florida is looking to replace Wally Burnham, who left for a job at Iowa State.

Disch just completed his fourth year on the Illinois staff and second, with secondary coach Curt Mallory, as co-defensive coordinator. Though the team allowed more points in 2008 than in 2007, the defense gave up fewer yards against a schedule that included BCS teams Ohio State and Penn State.

Besides his four years at Illinois with Ron Zook, Disch also spent a season on Zook's Florida staff. Before that, Disch was a longtime successful high school coach in Jacksonville, Fla. His ties to the area have been a big help for Illinois in recruiting.

Disch and his wife Janet have three daughters.

Categories (3):Illini Sports, Football, Sports

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IlliniKsouth2009 wrote on February 25, 2009 at 12:02 am

Please dear God dont go.

ChiefIlliniwek4 wrote on February 25, 2009 at 8:02 am

Although, maybe if he does go then we will be forced to hire a true defensive coordinator and get rid of this Co-stuff.

Jshaw wrote on February 25, 2009 at 8:02 am

DONT GO!!

Be a good move for him though.

illiniphil85 wrote on February 25, 2009 at 10:02 am

ouch, can't really blame him if he goes.

CecilColeman wrote on February 25, 2009 at 5:02 pm

When the offense and the kicking game give the opposition the ball "on the wrong side of" the fifty, the opponents do not gain much yardage but sure can score the points!

That's what happened in 2008, fans. Remember Dufrene and Juice fumbling at the Illini 12 and 18 to set up cheap scores against Minnesota? The 2 kick offs that went out of bounds - giving the Gophers the ball at the 40?

Same with the Ohio State game and Juice's early fumble.

Can't blame Disch or Mallory, sorry!