Illinois DC Ryan Walters is On3 national coordinator of the year

On3’s 2022 national coordinator of the year is Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters.

Under Walters, who is in his second season with the Fighting Illini, Illinois is ranked first nationally in scoring defense, first among Power 5 teams in total defense and first among Power 5 teams in takeaways with 29.

It’s part of a defensive transformation for the Illini under Walters, who inherited a unit that ranked 114th nationally in total defense and was tied for 97th in scoring defense in 2020.

Behind Walters, Illinois improved to 29th nationally in scoring defense last season and has limited nine of its first 12 opponents this season to fewer than 20 points. Only one Illinois opponent has scored more than 23 points.

Led by the defense, the Illini started 7-1 and was ranked as high as No. 14 before finishing the regular season 8-4. It was the first time Illinois had been ranked since 2011. Meanwhile, the eight wins are the most for the Illini since 2007.

Walters, 36, a former Colorado safety and team captain, arrived at Illinois after six seasons at Missouri, including three as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. Walters’ 2019 Missouri defense ranked third best in the SEC in total defense.

Before Mizzou, Walters was a cornerbacks coach at Memphis (2014) and North Texas (2013).

Walters and Illinois are set to face Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on January 2.