Bobby Hauck Out After 4 Games as Illinois Defensive Coordinator; Unit Ranks Near Bottom in Stats
Bret Bielema said Illinois and Bobby Hauck mutually agreed to a change after the defense allowed 391 yards per game.
- Illinois head coach Bret Bielema announced Sunday that the program has parted ways with defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck just four games into his first season following a 42-19 loss at Ohio State on Saturday.
- The Fighting Illini defense has struggled significantly, ranking 119th in pass defense, 111th in total defense, and 100th in scoring defense while holding a 2-2 record through four games.
- Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith recorded 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns against Illinois, while the Illini secondary has managed only three sacks this season amid tackling issues.
- Coach Bielema and Coach Hauck mutually agreed to the separation Sunday morning, with Bielema stating, "As with any turnover, we have prepared for this moment and we have a plan to move our program forward."
- Hauck was hired in February from Montana to replace Aaron Henry, now at Notre Dame. Illinois hosts Purdue on Saturday with no successor announced to lead the defense.
32 Articles
32 Articles
$46M Big Ten Head Coach Parts Ways With Defensive Coordinator After Just Four Games
Bret Bielema did not even wait for Illinois’ defensive disaster to cool off. Less than 24 hours after Ohio State embarrassed the Fighting Illini 42-19, Illinois parted ways with defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck just four games into his tenure. Hauck was supposed to reinvent the defense. Instead, his experiment unraveled almost immediately, and the Ohio […]
Illinois Parts Ways With Defensive Coordinator Hauck After Four Games
Illinois parted ways with Bobby Hauck on September 27, 2026 after four games and a 42-19 Ohio State loss in which the defense had nine players on the field for a late score. · 18 sources across the spectrum on IJR News.
Chicago Sun Times
Usa news siteIllinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck out after 4 games
<p>CHAMPAIGN — Illinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck has parted ways with the program just four games into his first season, coach Bret Bielema announced Sunday.</p><p>Bielema had hired the former Montana head coach to replace Aaron Henry, who left to be co-defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.</p><p>The Illini (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/college-sports/2026/09/26/illinois-has-no-answers-for-ohio-sta…
The Toronto Star
Bobby Hauck out after 4 games as Illinois defensive coordinator; unit ranks near bottom in stats
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck has parted ways with the program just four games into his first season, coach Bret Bielema announced Sunday.
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