Illinois Football loses WR Coach to the SEC

Illinois Football loses WR Coach to the SEC

Illinois Football is in the midst of a staff reshape. A few weeks ago, Bret Bielema announced that they had parted ways with Linebackers coach, Andy Buh, and Defensive backs coach, Antonio Fenelus. They then added veteran Defensive backs coach, David Gibbs. Gibbs will provide a strong background of experience to a defensive crew that seems to need it. They have also added some key recruits to their class of 2025 in hopes of starting a strong foundation in recruiting.

Unfortunately, good assistants are always in high demand. Illinois Football has reportedly lost their wide receivers coach, George McDonald, to Ole Miss and the SEC. Mcdonald will be the wide receivers coach for Lane Kiffin and the passing game coordinator. It would be pretty hard to turn down that opportunity.

Ole Miss is expected to hire Illinois’ George McDonald as wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator, sources tell @247sports.

He helped converted QB Isaiah Williams earn All-Big honors the last two years. Will now run an Ole Miss unit featuring Juice Wells and Tre Harris.… pic.twitter.com/QqhDYO2qeL

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 27, 2024

A solid impact in Champaign.

George Mcdonald had a strong impact in Champaign. The Illini alum was one of the original members of Bret Bielema’s first staff and was a top assistant. Mcdonald helped develop Isaiah Williams from a second-string QB into one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten. Casey Washington and Pat Bryant became solid contributors in the conference. Also, McDonald did a great job recruiting. He landed highly-rated prospects such as Malik Elzy, Tysean Griffin, Collin Dixon, and Eian Pugh.

He did some great work in-state and in the city of Chicago. That will sorely be missed and Bret Bielema needs home run hire with their next wide receiver’s coach.

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