Illinois Loses Robby Discher to Ohio State, Marking Another Key Staff Departure
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is facing another shake-up on his coaching staff. Tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Robby Discher is expected to join Ohio State in the same special teams role, according to reports. It's the second significant departure from the Illini staff this offseason, following running backs coach Thad Ward’s move to Kansas State.
Discher’s exit leaves a notable void in both the tight ends room and the special teams unit-two areas where he made a clear impact during his three seasons in Champaign.
Tight Ends Development Under Discher
While the Illini’s tight end group didn’t light up the stat sheet in 2025, Discher helped develop a solid foundation at the position. Tip Reiman turned into a third-round NFL Draft pick under his watch, and Tanner Arkin emerged as a two-time team captain known more for his physicality than flashy numbers. Arkin wrapped up his final season with 11 catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns, but his real value came as a consistent and reliable blocker.
Cole Rusk, who recently entered the transfer portal, led the tight ends in production with 19 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown. However, his playing time was inconsistent. Ball State transfer Christian Abney also showed promise, especially at the line of scrimmage, where his blocking stood out in a group that prided itself on physicality more than pass-catching fireworks.
Illinois entered the season with more depth at tight end than at any point in Bielema’s tenure, but that didn’t fully translate into explosive production through the air. Still, the unit played a key role in supporting an offense that ranked seventh in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 29.4 points per game.
Special Teams: A Mixed Bag
On special teams, Discher’s units had their ups and downs. Illinois finished 47th nationally in special teams efficiency, according to ESPN’s FPI. There were moments that swung games-like a blocked punt against Indiana that shifted momentum early, or the kick return touchdown allowed in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee.
Punter Keelan Crimmins had an uneven finish to the season. He averaged 43.97 yards per punt, with six touchbacks and nine punts downed inside the 20. He also had seven punts travel 50 or more yards, but overall, Illinois ranked just seventh in the Big Ten in punting.
Kicker David Olano was a bright spot, earning All-Big Ten honors during his time with the Illini. His consistency gave the special teams unit a reliable scoring option, though he has since entered the transfer portal. Coverage units also held up well throughout the season, even if the group lacked game-changing plays.
What Comes Next for Illinois?
Discher’s departure adds to what’s shaping up to be a transitional offseason for Illinois. With Arkin and Crimmins out of eligibility, and Rusk and Olano in the portal, Bielema now faces the task of replacing both the on-field talent and the coach who helped develop them.
How Bielema chooses to restructure the staff will be something to watch. He could opt for a direct one-to-one replacement-bringing in someone to handle both tight ends and special teams-or split those duties between two hires.
Either way, it’s clear the Illini could benefit from a strong recruiter in the tight end room, especially after missing out on two highly rated in-state prospects in the Class of 2026: J.C. Anderson (LSU) and Mack Sutter (Alabama).
The staff was recently on the trail visiting four-star 2027 tight end Jack Brown in Missouri, notably without Discher present. That visit underscores the urgency for Illinois to fill the role quickly and effectively, especially with recruiting battles heating up.
With two key assistant coaches now gone and several contributors moving on, this offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Bielema’s program. The pieces are still there for Illinois to build on last season’s nine-win campaign and Music City Bowl victory, but how they fill these vacancies could go a long way in determining whether that momentum continues into 2026.