Illinois Football Adds Robby Hauck and Mike Linehan to Coaching Staff
The Illinois Fighting Illini football continued reshaping its coaching staff Tuesday, as head coach Bret Bielema announced the additions of Robby Hauck as assistant defensive backs coach and Mike Linehan as defensive ends coach.
It has already been a busy offseason for Illinois, highlighted by the departure of defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who left for a role with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football. The Illini replaced him last month with veteran head coach Bobby Hauck.
Robby Hauck – Assistant Defensive Backs Coach
Robby Hauck, the son of Illinois’ new defensive coordinator, enters his fourth year in coaching. A standout defensive back at Montana Grizzlies football, he earned All-American honors three times during his playing career and finished among the top tacklers in the NCAA Division I FCS when he graduated.
Hauck began his coaching career in 2023 with the Portland State Vikings football as the team’s nickelbacks coach and special teams assistant. The following season he was promoted to special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, and he remained in the special teams coordinator role in 2025.
While the addition of a defensive backs assistant might seem minor, Hauck could have a significant impact. Illinois plans to run Bobby Hauck’s aggressive 3-3-5 defensive scheme, and Robby’s recent experience playing and coaching in that system could help strengthen the Illini secondary.
Mike Linehan – Defensive Ends Coach
Linehan is another young coach with strong ties to Montana and the FCS level. Before joining Illinois, he spent the last three seasons coaching defensive ends for the Montana Grizzlies football under Bobby Hauck.
He previously worked at San Diego State Aztecs football as a defensive line graduate assistant for three seasons. Linehan is also the son of former NFL head coach Scott Linehan.
As a player, Linehan began his college career with the Idaho Vandals football before transferring to the North Texas Mean Green football for his final two seasons. Over five years, he recorded 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Additional Staff Adjustments
Along with the two new hires, Bielema also made several adjustments to existing staff roles.
Artur Sitkowski was promoted from co-quarterbacks coach to full quarterbacks coach. Former analyst Mike Neu will now serve as the team’s passing game coordinator. Meanwhile, Houston Griffith moves back to the offensive side of the ball as assistant tight ends coach after previously working with the defensive backs last season.
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