Illinois football tabs Montana's Hauck as new defensive coordinator

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Former Montana head coach Bobby Hauck is set to become Illinois football's next defensive coordinator, Bret Bielema announced Monday.

Hauck replaces Aaron Henry, who took a job at Notre Dame.

Illinois Athletics said that Hauck's contract will need to be approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Hauck has 38 years of coaching experience, including 19 seasons as a head coach at Montana and UNLV. During his final season with Montana, Hauck guided the Grizzlies to a 13-2 record and a loss to rival Montana State in the FCS semifinals.

His Montana teams also finished top 20 in the country in scoring defense three times in the last five years, per U of I Athletics.

"Coach Bielema is one of the great head coaches in all of football and I am extremely excited to work for him and the student-athletes and staff here at the University of Illinois. I have a great feeling about the players, the coaches and the future of this program. I will miss Montana dearly because of the relationships and the passion I have for the football program. I hope to bring some of that to the Illini. I can't wait to get started," Hauck said in a statement.

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