The Illinois football program is no stranger to offseason shakeups, but this winter has brought a particularly tough stretch-especially for the Illini’s special teams unit.
First came the loss of their starting kicker to Texas A&M, a blow that already put pressure on a group that had quietly become one of the more consistent units in the Big Ten. Now, Illinois is losing the architect behind that consistency. Robby Discher, the Illini’s special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, is headed to Ohio State to take over the Buckeyes’ special teams.
Discher’s departure, first reported on Saturday morning, marks a significant shift for Illinois. He’s widely respected in coaching circles, having built a reputation as one of the top special teams minds in the country.
Before landing in Champaign in 2023, Discher made coaching stops at Sam Houston State, Oklahoma State, Toledo, Louisiana, Georgia, and Tulane. That résumé speaks volumes-and it’s no surprise a powerhouse like Ohio State came calling.
In his short time at Illinois, Discher helped elevate the special teams unit. Punter Hugh Robertson turned in strong performances under his guidance, while kickers like David Olano and Caleb Griffin found their footing-and their range.
Even Ethan Moczulski, who returned to Illinois through the transfer portal, showed promise under Discher’s watch. The consistency and development at those positions were no accident.
Discher brought structure, attention to detail, and a clear knack for maximizing talent.
His exit is the latest in what’s become an unusually active offseason for Bret Bielema’s staff. Illinois also saw running backs coach Thad Ward leave for Kansas State, marking the most significant coaching turnover since Bielema took the reins in Champaign. For a program that’s prided itself on continuity and internal development, this offseason has tested that identity.
And yet, amid the movement, one name still remains-and that’s Barry Lunney Jr.
Lunney, Illinois’ offensive coordinator, has been instrumental in reshaping the Illini offense. His track record speaks for itself.
He took Tommy DeVito, a quarterback many had written off, and helped guide him to the NFL. Then came Luke Altmyer, a transfer from Ole Miss who couldn’t crack the starting lineup in the SEC.
Under Lunney, Altmyer not only found his rhythm but also led Illinois to back-to-back bowl wins over SEC opponents and racked up 19 wins across two seasons.
Lunney’s ability to develop quarterbacks, tailor game plans, and get the most out of his personnel has been one of the most underappreciated stories in the Big Ten. With the coaching carousel spinning at full speed this offseason, it’s a bit of a surprise that Lunney hasn’t been scooped up by a program looking for a head coach or a high-level offensive mind. His work in Champaign has been that impactful.
As Illinois heads into the next phase of its offseason, there’s no sugarcoating the challenge ahead. Losing a coach like Discher stings-especially when he’s heading to a conference rival. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Illini still have key pieces in place, including Lunney, who’s proven he can build and sustain success on the offensive side of the ball.
The program has weathered change before, and with Bielema at the helm and a foundation of strong player development, Illinois will look to reload rather than rebuild. But no doubt about it-this offseason has been a test. And how the Illini respond will say a lot about where they’re headed in 2026 and beyond.