Illinois is hiring Missouri defensive coordinator Ryan Walters for the same role, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.
New Fighting Illini coach Bret Bielema picked Walters, who has been Missouri’s primary defensive coordinator the past three seasons after two years in a co-coordinator role. Walters joined the Missouri staff in 2015 after stints at Memphis, North Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona.
Illinois and Missouri play an annual rivalry game in men’s basketball but haven’t met in football since 2010. The teams are set to play a four-game series beginning in 2026.