Kevin Kane Named Fighting Illini Associate Head Coach/Outside Linebackers Coach

CHAMPAIGN, IL (ILLINOIS ATHLETICS) -�� University of Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema today named Kevin Kane to his staff as associate head coach/outside linebackers coach.

“It is a pleasure to name Kevin Kane as the final addition of our coaching staff at the University of Illinois,�� Bielema said. “I first hired Kevin as a defensive graduate assistant and now I’ve seen his career grow, develop and flourish in the coaching profession as an assistant coach as well as a coordinator. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our staff at Illinois. Kevin is originally from the Kansas City area and will be a great addition to our recruiting staff and in developing the young men in our program.��

Kane reunites with Bielema following three seasons leading a stingy defense at SMU as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

“I am fired up to get back to Illinois and work with Coach B,�� Kane said. “I’ve previously coached in the state of Illinois and worked for Coach B, and I know we will have success here. He has hired a great group of coaches and staff who know what it takes to recruit, coach and develop young men on and off the field. It’s a great time to be at Illinois and I’m more than excited to be a part of it.��

Kane joined the SMU staff in 2018 and in his first two seasons led the Mustangs to several national top 25 rankings, including the No. 1 ranking for sacks per game (3.92) and No. 3 ranking in tackles for loss (8.5 avg) in 2019.

He made the move to SMU after spending the 2016 and 2017 seasons as the defensive coordinator at Northern Illinois. That was his second stint at NIU, having served in multiple capacities for the Huskies from 2011-14. During the 2015 season, Kane coached linebackers at Kansas.

Kane helped the Huskies to five bowl appearances during his time in DeKalb, including a win in the 2012 Bowl over Arkansas State, and three MAC Championships. The Huskies ranked 26^th in the nation in total defense in 2017, leading the nation in tackles for loss (8.8) and ranking second in sacks (3.31) and fourth in defensive TDs (5). NIU ranked seventh nationally in yards per play allowed at just 4.52, trailing only Alabama, Clemson, Wisconsin, Washington, Ohio State and Michigan.

NIU also ranked in the top 20 in third down conversion percentage defense (11^th), rushing defense (16^th) and first downs allowed (19^th). In 2016, NIU ranked 17^th nationally and led the MAC in red zone defense.

Kane made the move to NIU after three seasons (2008-10) at Wisconsin, serving as a graduate assistant (2008-09) and quality control assistant (2010) under Bielema. While at Wisconsin, the Badgers earned berths to the 2008 and 2009 Champs Sports Bowls and 2011 Rose Bowl.

His coaching career began in 2006 at Kansas, where he spent two seasons as a student assistant for his alma mater. He helped the Jayhawks to the 2008 Orange Bowl under Mark Mangino.

A 2006 graduate of Kansas, Kane played linebacker for the Jayhawks, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades from the Associated Press as a junior and senior. He helped Kansas to a pair of bowl appearances, including a win in the 2005 Fort Worth Bowl. Kane was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and was named team captain as a senior. He graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, where he helped lead the Hawklets to a Missouri state championship as a junior. Kane earned his master’s degree in education at Wisconsin in 2010.

He and wife Theresa have two sons, Jack and Colin, and one daughter, Nora.

KANE AT A GLANCE

Coaching Experience

2021:��Illinois (Associate Head Coach/Outside Linebackers)

2018-20: SMU (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)

2017: Northern Illinois (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)

2016: Northern Illinois (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)

2015: Kansas (Linebackers)

2013-14: Northern Illinois (Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers)

2012: Northern Illinois (Linebackers)

2011: Northern Illinois (Tight Ends/Fullbacks)

2010:��Wisconsin (Defensive Quality Control)