Illinois is hiring former Montana assistant Ronnie Bradford as secondary coach and will work primarily with safeties, the program announced. Illinois assistant Corey Parker will now work primarily with cornerbacks
Bradford, a former NFL defensive back, spent the last two seasons as a senior special teams assistant for the Miami Dolphins.
Bradford served for three seasons on new Illini defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's staff from 2021-23, serving as assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach in 2021-22 and then serving as defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the 2023 season before moving to the NFL.
Hauck had stints as a defensive assistant at Cal (2010-12), special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach at Louisiana Tech (2014-15) and defensive backs coach at USC.
After a decade in the NFL as a player, Bradford began his coaching career in the NFL, serving six seasons on the Denver Broncos staff in special teams and defensive backs roles as well as one season with the Kansas City Chiefs (2009).
Bradford, a Minot (N.D.) native, was a star defensive back at the University of Colorado from 1989-92. He started two seasons and earned All-Big 8 First Team honors as a senior. He was a member of the Buffaloes' 1990 national championship team and blocked Notre Dame's extra-point attempt in the final minute to help Colorado win 10-9 in the Orange Bowl.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Bradford to the Illini FamILLy," said Bielema. "His extensive experience, both in college football and the NFL, will make an immediate impact in our building. Coach Bradford was a standout NFL defensive back and has translated that success to coaching, including coordinating one of the top-ranked defenses in Montana history in 2023. He will work primarily with our safeties, while defensive backs coach Corey Parker will work primarily with our cornerbacks."
"Thank you to Coach Bielema for the opportunity to coach an elite group of student-athletes at this prestigious university at a top conference in college football," said Bradford. "I am excited to coach with Bobby Hauck and build on the success that has been established here at Illinois. I can't wait to experience the Illini faithful and our enthusiastic fan base!"