Illinois hiring South Carolina assistant Justin Stepp as wide receivers coach
Illinois has announced the hire of South Carolina assistant Justin Stepp to be the Fighting Illini’s next wide receivers coach. This news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.
Stepp has been on the Gamecock’s staff in Columbia for the past four seasons. He worked with the wideouts for the first three years but pivoted to being Shane Beamer’s tight ends coach for the 2023 season.
He also has ties to the Illini’s coaching staff, having worked with Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. when they were at Arkansas.
“I was extremely impressed with Justin’s passion and knowledge for the receiver position when I worked with him for two years,” Lunney said, via release. “He is full of energy, a relentless recruiter, and has a unique ability to create meaningful relationships with his student-athletes. I can’t wait to reunite with him here in Champaign.”
Stepp joins a coaching staff led by head coach Bret Bielema, who he thanked first during his introductory statement.
“I can’t wait to get to Champaign and join Coach Bielema, Coach Lunney, and everyone in the Illinois football famILLy,” Stepp said in the same release. “I have always been impressed with the tough, smart way Coach Bielema’s teams play the game. I am excited to get to work with the great staff and student-athletes within the program.”
Overall, Stepp will head to Champaign with six seasons as a wide receivers coach in the SEC under his belt. Once projected first-round NFL Draft pick Xavier Legette is selected in April, Stepp will have coached seven wide receivers into professional careers.
“I have admired Coach Stepp’s career from afar and I am excited to welcome him to our Illini famILLy,” head coach Bret Bielema said. “His relationships-driven leadership has led to an enormous amount of success in recruiting and developing NFL-caliber wide receivers. I am excited to see the impact his passion will have on our building. He and his wife, Brooke, and their two children are going to be great additions to our football famILLy and the Illinois community.”
Illinois will begin its 2024 college football season on Aug. 31 at home against Eastern Illinois. Stepp’s first opportunity to coach in the Big Ten will fall on Sept. 21 against Nebraska on the road. After that, the Fighting Illini will have to endure three of their next four games against Penn State, Michigan and new Big Ten foe Oregon.