CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — The Illinois Fighting Illini football coaching staff is taking shape with the addition of two new defensive assistants, head coach Bret Bielema announced.
Robby Hauck has been named assistant defensive backs coach, while Mike Linehan will serve as defensive ends coach.
Hauck joins Illinois after three seasons at Portland State football, where he climbed from special teams assistant to special teams coordinator and safeties coach. He previously spent time as recruiting coordinator at San Diego State football.
A former standout safety at Montana Grizzlies football, Hauck was one of the most decorated players in FCS history. A three-time All-American, he set Big Sky and Montana program records with 482 career tackles and finished sixth all-time in FCS history. He was also a three-time Academic All-American and earned three degrees, including a master’s in business administration.
“Coach Hauck brings valuable experience coordinating a special teams unit over the last two seasons and a deep knowledge of our defense,” Bielema said in a statement.
Linehan also arrives from Montana, where he served as defensive line coach for three seasons. During his tenure, the Grizzlies won 35 games, made three FCS playoff appearances and advanced to the 2023 FCS National Championship Game. Montana’s defense ranked among the nation’s top 20 in multiple statistical categories in 2023, including scoring defense and total defense.
Linehan coached All-American Alex Gubner, the Big Sky Defensive MVP, and helped develop several players who went on to sign NFL and CFL contracts.
Before Montana, Linehan spent three seasons as a defensive line graduate assistant at San Diego State, where the Aztecs consistently ranked among the Mountain West leaders in rushing defense.
Linehan, a former linebacker at Idaho and North Texas, is the son of longtime NFL coach Scott Linehan. Bielema said Linehan’s football background and familiarity with Illinois’ defensive scheme make him a strong fit for the program.