Bielema hires new linebackers coach
Feb. 9—CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema moved quickly this week to rebuild his coaching staff that wound up with four open positions in the last month after he fired two assistants and saw two others leave for different opportunities.
Illinois officially announced the hire of linebackers coach Archie McDaniel on Friday morning less than 24 hours after Bielema added wide receivers coach Justin Stepp to the Illini staff. McDaniel will replace Andy Buh, who was among Bielema's initial hires when he took the Illinois job in December 2020.
"Coach McDaniel will be a huge asset to our linebackers room and our recruiting efforts in Illinois and nationally," Bielema said in an official release. "His accomplishments and experiences as a player, coach, and person will bring an immediate impact to our building."
McDaniel spent the past three seasons at Houston as the Cougars' linebackers coach. He helped coach Houston to two bowl game victories, a top 20 finish in 2021 and in the Cougars' transition from the American Athletic Conference to the Big 12 this past season.
McDaniel played three seasons at Texas A&M from 2002-05. He finished his career with 213 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions and helped the Aggies reach the 2005 Cotton Bowl.
McDaniel started his coaching career as the H-backs/tight ends coach at Tulsa in 2010 before flipping to defensive line coach in 2011. His other coaching stops included three seasons at New Mexico, three seasons at SMU, one more at New Mexico and two at Texas State before landing at Houston.
"Having the opportunity to be a part of this great program and university makes me feel extremely blessed," McDaniel said about joining Bielema's staff at Illinois. "I can't wait to get to work with this great staff and our amazing student-athletes."
McDaniel is Bielema's third hire this offseason, following Stepp and new associate head coach/defensive backs coach David Gibbs. Bielema still has to replace outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen after he was hired away by the New York Giants on Wednesday.
