The Illinois football program is entering a new chapter on defense - and it's one that comes with both promise and a few question marks.
After Aaron Henry’s departure to Notre Dame, Illinois turned to a seasoned veteran in Bobby Hauck to take over as defensive coordinator. Hauck, who had just stepped away from his head coaching role at Montana, is coming out of retirement to bring his aggressive, nickel-heavy defensive philosophy to Champaign.
On paper, it’s a bold move. But bold doesn’t always mean flawless - and Hauck’s track record offers a mix of encouraging trends and areas that will need attention as he transitions to the FBS level.
Let’s break down what Hauck brings to the table - the good, the average, and the parts that might give Illini fans a little pause.
The Good: Turnovers, Red Zone Stands, and Getting to the QB
If there’s one thing Hauck’s defenses have consistently done well, it’s creating chaos - especially in the red zone and the turnover department.
Red Zone Defense
Illinois struggled mightily in the red zone last season, allowing opponents to score on a staggering 86.7% of trips inside the 20.
That’s a number that simply doesn’t win games. Hauck’s Montana defense, by contrast, held teams to a 77.6% red zone scoring rate - a significant improvement.
That kind of situational toughness could be a game-changer for an Illini defense that too often bent and broke when it mattered most.
Interceptions
Perhaps the most glaring issue for Illinois last season was its inability to force turnovers through the air.
Just six interceptions all year - good for 107th in the FBS - left the defense without the momentum-shifting plays that can flip games. Hauck’s Montana unit?
They snagged 21 interceptions in 2025, ranking second in the FCS. That’s not just opportunistic - it’s a sign of a system that puts players in position to make plays on the ball.
Sacks
Pass rush was another area where Illinois leaned heavily on a few individual efforts, most notably Gabe Jacas.
The Illini averaged just 1.8 sacks per game - not enough to consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Hauck’s Montana defense averaged 2.13 sacks per game, a modest bump, but one that suggests a more aggressive approach to pressuring the pocket.
If Illinois can pair that with Big Ten-level talent up front, there’s potential for real growth here.
The Average: Solid, But Not Yet a Leap Forward
While Hauck’s resume brings some clear strengths, not every metric suggests an immediate upgrade.
Rushing Yards Allowed
Illinois allowed 135.6 rushing yards per game in 2025.
Montana, under Hauck, gave up 142.0. That’s a fairly lateral move in terms of production, and while it’s not a red flag, it means the Illini run defense may not see a dramatic shift under the new coordinator - at least not right away.
Scoring Defense
Points allowed per game is always a telling stat, and Hauck’s group at Montana allowed 25.4 per contest - almost identical to Illinois’ 25.3. The scheme - likely a 3-3-5 base with an emphasis on speed and versatility - could limit explosive plays, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up against Big Ten offenses week in and week out.
Third and Fourth Down Defense
Third down defense was a sore spot for Illinois last year, with opponents converting nearly 46% of the time - one of the worst marks in the FBS.
Montana fared slightly better at 42.1%, ranking 77th in the FCS. Similarly, fourth down defense saw a modest improvement: Illinois allowed conversions 61.5% of the time, while Montana held teams to 51.9%.
These aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they hint at a defense that might be more situationally aware under Hauck.
The Ugly: Air It Out and Move the Chains
Now, here’s where things get a little murkier.
Passing Yards Allowed
Montana’s pass defense in 2025 was, frankly, leaky.
The Grizzlies gave up 257.8 passing yards per game - 115th out of 126 FCS teams. That’s a concern, especially when jumping into a conference where teams like Ohio State and Penn State can stretch the field vertically.
Illinois, by comparison, allowed 225.4 passing yards per game - not elite, but a clear step up.
Some of that yardage could be attributed to Montana often playing with a lead, forcing opponents to throw more. Still, the raw numbers suggest Hauck’s scheme may need to tighten up its coverage against more sophisticated passing attacks.
Total Yards Allowed
This is where the red flags really start to show.
Montana gave up nearly 400 yards per game last season - 399.8 to be exact - which ranked 88th in the FCS. Illinois allowed 361.0 yards per game, good for 49th in the FBS.
That’s a noticeable drop-off. For Hauck, the challenge will be adapting his defensive philosophy to a higher level of competition while finding ways to shore up yardage without sacrificing the aggressive edge that defines his scheme.
What It All Means for Illinois
Bobby Hauck brings a wealth of experience and a defensive identity rooted in pressure, turnovers, and red zone grit. That’s exactly what Illinois needs after a season where the defense struggled to make impact plays when it mattered most.
But this isn’t a plug-and-play solution. Hauck’s numbers from Montana show promise in some key areas, but they also reveal vulnerabilities - particularly against the pass and in total yardage allowed. The transition from FCS to Big Ten football is no small leap, and Hauck will need to adjust quickly to the speed, size, and complexity of the offenses he’ll face.
Still, for a program looking to reestablish its defensive edge, this hire signals a commitment to aggression and playmaking. If Hauck can translate his turnover-happy style to the FBS level - while patching up the leaky yardage issues - Illinois might just have something brewing on that side of the ball.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s about putting them together.