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Illinois Football Extends Offensive Coordinator Barry Lunney

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has agreed to a contract extension that will carry him through the conclusion of the 2025 season, Director of Athletics Josh Whitman and head coach Bret Bielema announced. The extension is pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees at its meeting next week. 

 

Lunney has made Illinois one of the most improved offenses in the nation behind a balanced attack. Along with a talented assistant coaching staff, Lunney has improved Illinois' yards per game by 83.3 from last season, the biggest improvement in the Big Ten by more than 20 yards. The Illinois offense features the nation's leading rusher, Chase Brown, the No. 2 quarterback in the nation in completion percentage, Tommy DeVito, and an offensive line that is in contention for the Joe Moore Award.

 

Illinois has made tremendous year-over-year improvement in the national rankings on offense, jumping 121 spots in completion percentage (3rd from 124th), 74 spots in passing efficiency (47th from 121st), and 59 spots in yards per game (53rd from 112th). With Lunney's quick-paced and efficient offense, Illinois has become the most improved passing team in the country with a 20+% improvement in completion percentage, by far the best in the nation. 

 

Illinois' complimentary offense, paired with the nation's No. 1 defense, has helped the Illini make huge strides in national relevance in 2022. Illinois has been ranked in the AP Top 25 for five straight weeks, the team's first national ranking since 2011, and the Illini are currently No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings after making the program's first-ever appearance during the initial rankings last week.

 

Lunney's base salary increases to $800,000 for the 2023 season and $825,000 for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

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