Illinois hires LSU assistant Antonio Fenelus as defensive backs coach

Illinois Football has found its new defensive backs coach. On Friday, the team announced that head coach Bret Bielema is hiring Antonio Fenelus to be the new DBs coach. Fenelus once played for Wisconsin and has been a defensive analyst with LSU over the last two seasons. Now, he’s being handed the keys to his own position group on the Illini staff.

Here was what Bielema and Fenelus had to say about accepting the position:

“I have been waiting for the opportunity to hire Antonio here to Illinois since coming here,” said Bielema. “He brings a coaching resume in several different systems and also coordinator experience to the defensive staff room. I have known Antonio from recruiting him out of Boca Raton to bringing him full circle to our coaching staff. He and his family will be a great addition to our campus and community.”

“I am so excited for my family and I to be joining the #famILLy in Champaign,” said Fenelus. “I am looking forward to doing all I can to help our players and the program continue to reach new heights. Coach B has put together an amazing staff and I am very grateful that he and Coach Henry trust me to lead an outstanding group of young men. I can’t wait to hit the ground running.”