Illini hire another assistant

Posted In: Peoria Journal Star Illini
Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Illinois has hired a running backs coach with a track record for developing 1,000-yard rushers. DeAndre Smith, who coached last season at UNLV, will fill the vacancy created by the departure of Reggie Mitchell to Kansas, the school announced Tuesday.

A native of St. Louis, Smith also worked at New Mexico and served seven seasons as an assistant in the Mid-American Conference, including four years at Northern Illinois.

“He has proven success with the running game and has shown he can develop talent and get the most out of his players,’’ Illinois coach Ron Zook said in a prepared statement.

While at New Mexico, Smith tutored all-Mountain West pick Rodney Ferguson, who rushed for 1,105 yards in 2008.

In Smith’s four years as an assistant at Northern Illinois, the Huskies had an all-conference running back each season. Michael Turner, a running back with the NFL Atlanta Falcons, rushed for a conference-record 1,915 yards in 2002. He also led the MAC in rushing the following season. Garrett Wolfe, now with the Chicago Bears, rushed for 1,656 yards to rank fifth nationally in 2004. In 2001, Smith’s first season in DeKalb, Thomas Hammock gained 1,096 yards rushing.

A former quarterback who led Missouri State to Gateway championships in 1989 and 1990, Smith began his coaching career as offensive coordinator at Indiana State in 1999 and 2000.

Following a 3-9 season and a coaching shakeup, Illinois replaced four coaches on offense and one on defense. Illinois returns sophomore running backs Mikel Leshoure, Daniel Dufrene and Troy Pollard. Smith likely will take over the St. Louis recruiting area previously worked by Mitchell.

“I am excited about the talent returning on this team,’’ Smith said in a prepared statement. “I have already watched film and look forward to continuing the tradition of great running backs.’’

John Supinie can be reached at johnsupinie@aol.com.
 

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