Sacked: Illinois football parts ways with defensive coordinator as unit ranks No. 101 in NCAA

PEORIA — The Illinois football team defense was two men short on the field in a goal line situation Saturday against Ohio State, a bewildering communication issue.

Now the Fighting Illini are one man short on the defensive coaching staff after a 42-19 loss to No. 7 Ohio State.

Illinois first-year defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck and the program parted ways Sunday after just four games.

Illini head coach Bret Bielema on Sunday said Hauck reached out ahead of their normal Sunday meeting, and the two agreed that a leadership change was best for the team.

The Illinois defense ranks 101st nationally in points allowed.

"Coach Hauck and I agreed this is the best path forward for our staff, and most importantly, our student-athletes, at this time," Bielema said in a statement. "I would like to thank Bobby for his work with our program."

Hauck, who coached at Montana, brought in his 3-3-5 defensive scheme to Illinois, but the unit allowed 31 points in a home loss to Duke and 42 at Ohio State.

"I enjoyed being a part of the staff here at Illinois and working alongside Coach Bielema every day," Hauck said in a statement from the team. "I wish Illinois the best of luck."

Bielema said weeks ago that part of why he embraced Hauck and his 3-3-5 scheme was due to the expense of signing top-shelf defensive linemen. The 42 points allowed to Ohio State – which saw Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith gouge the Illini D – and mistakes such as being caught on the field with only nine players proved to be the end of the road for Hauck.

The Illini national rank for scoring defense, at No. 101, is the third-worst in the 18-team Big Ten, ahead of only Rutgers and Purdue.

Here is a look at how the Big Ten defenses rank in the NCAA:

Iowa (1), Indiana (5), Penn State (8), Nebraska (10), Ohio State (11), Michigan (23), Washington (34), Northwestern (36), UCLA (38), Minnesota (40), Wisconsin (46), Michigan State (54), Oregon (72), Maryland (93), USC (100), Illinois (101), Rutgers (107), Purdue (136).

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Sacked: Illinois football parts ways with defensive coordinator as unit ranks No. 101 in NCAA