CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Fighting Illini football has named Roger Cooper as its inside linebackers coach.
Cooper played three seasons in the NFL, and joins the Illini with 14 years of collegiate coaching experience.
He comes to Champaign from Montana, where he spent the last four seasons in multiple positions, including co-defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and safeties coach. Before his time with Montana, Cooper spent 10 years at Idaho State serving in several positions.
Cooper helped Montana to two 13-win seasons and a trip to the 2023 FCS National Championship Game.
"Coach Cooper has had an accomplished career on the defensive side of the ball as a coordinator, position coach, and player," said Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema. "He will bring valuable experience to our program, both for our inside linebackers and our entire defense."
As the Montana linebackers coach in 2023, Cooper helped mentor Braxton Hill, who led the Big Ski in tackles with 128 during one of the top-10 tackling seasons in Montana history. Hill was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in FCS.
Cooper also helped Riley Wilson make the switch from tight end at Hawaii to linebacker at Montana, finishing his first season in FCS second in the Big Sky in tackles for loss and fifth in sacks during the 2023 season.
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