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Bret Bielema updates Ben Miller’s status, clarifies Terrance Jamison’s role on staff
By Keith Farner
Published:
Bret Bielema updated staff changes at Illinois on Wednesday, as the Illini made a series of changes in recent weeks.
About Charlie Bullen, the new outside linebackers coach and pass rush coordinator, Bielema said, “I wanted to bring someone in with pass-rush value. I think our guys are some guys that can make a big jump in that area.”
At running backs coach, Illinois now has Thad Ward, who Bielema said he was “overly impressed” with who and what he is, and that Bielema was excited to add him.
Terrance Jamison, who joined Illinois as defensive line coach a year ago, will get a co-defensive coordinator title, Bielema said.
Bielema said special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Ben Miller is progressing positively but will transition to an off-the-field position, and Illinois would hire another assistant coach. Bielema said he will specifically hire a tight ends and special teams coach.
Miller also spoke on Wednesday, and added that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer a year ago today. Has been focused on getting healthy and not a distraction. Miller added that “Coach B has been incredible to me.”
“I’m living by a three-month rule.” All scans and tests right now are positive. Just got done with treatments 12 days ago.
H/T Jeremy Werner.
Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.