Koenning to spearhead Illinois' defense
CHAMPAIGN – Vic Koenning will be named Illinois' defensive coordinator Friday, a source told The News-Gazette.
A 1 p.m. news conference will be held to announce the hiring of the former Kansas State co-defensive coordinator.
The 49-year-old Koenning spent the 2009 season as co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at his alma mater, Kansas State. He worked with former Illini defensive coordinator Chris Cosh on the Wildcats staff.
Before joining Bill Snyder's team, Koenning spent four seasons as defensive coordinator at Clemson. His final year with the Tigers, Clemson's defense led the ACC in points allowed and finished ninth nationally.
Koenning served as Troy defensive coordinator in 2002-03. Before that, he was head coach at Wyoming, compiling a 5-29 record in three seasons. He served as Wyoming's defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching position.
A linebacker at Kansas State, Koenning started his coaching career at Memphis. He worked as the school's secondary coach from 1991 to '96.
Koenning's hiring completes a busy week for the Illinois football staff. Three coaches were added to the offensive staff: coordinator Paul Petrino, quarterbacks coach Jeff Brohm and tight ends coach Greg Nord.
The hiring of Nord and Brohm became official Wednesday. Nord will be paid $175,000 annually and has a two-year deal. Brohm, who spent the 2009 season at Florida Atlantic, will earn $172,000 annually as part of a two-year contract.
Reportedly, he was interested in GA all along due to Bowden connections and family geography (it seems his wife is from the south and they still have a house down there). But while GA expressed interest, they were frying other fish and didn't come through with an offer until this evening (Thursday).
Yeah, looks like "insiders" spoke too soon when they claimed early in the week that Koenning was in the bag. Guenther and Zook knew it wasn't a done deal, not until there is a signature and new hire is on campus ready to go to work. I hope Illinois was able to outbid Georgia and give Koenning the guarantees he wanted to pick us over Georgia. If money was close, I'd suspect Georgia would have gotten him over tenable situation here.
Is it true that peterborich is taking next year (2010) off from posting on IlliniHQ.com? Probably not; why? It would mean that he would stop being so very positive with his remarks, for example, this one, "Coach Koenning, as to your suicide mission you are about to accept, may God have mercy on your soul . . . . " LOL!
Oh, lighten up, kfj. Good line, peterborich. I'm sure it was said (at least partially) with tongue in cheek.
Overall. I think the 4 hires look promising. I especially like all of the ex-Louisville guys--should be easier to sell the idea of the potential for a high-powered offense to new recruits.
If Disch and Mallory had any pride at all they'd have left by now!
Zook tried to demote them last year and they came back anyway; Mallory has already seen UofI dismiss his brother.
Think of all of the job openings the past 2 off-seasons and no one has hired either of these two. That says it all..............
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