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Illinois defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson will miss Indiana game following mother’s death
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Illinois defensive coordinator will not be Champaign for the Illini’s game against Indiana, Jeremy Werner of IlliniInquirer.com reported Saturday morning.
Head coach Lovie Smith told the media on Monday that Nickerson took a temporary leave of absence following the unexpected death of his mother, but it was unknown when the defensive coordinator would return to the sideline. Werner confirmed that the funeral service for Nickerson’s mother was being held on Saturday.
#illini DC Hardy Nickerson will not be here today. Mother's funeral service is today.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 11, 2017
Lovie Smith plenty capable of calling a defense, I'd think. Plus, Mike Phair has plenty of experience too. https://t.co/hI2YCMrKJo
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 11, 2017
When Smith made the initial statement earlier in the week, he did not specify who would run the defense in Nickerson’s absence, though the head coach has plenty of experience managing that side of the ball. Werner says that defensive line coach Mike Phair is capable, as well.
Saturday’s game between Indiana and Illinois is scheduled for noon ET and will be televised on Big Ten Network.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB