Lunney to receive extension
- By bucshon
- Grange Grove
- 28 Replies
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — 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.
"I am grateful to Coach Bielema and Josh Whitman for their commitment towards my family and me," said Lunney. "The atmosphere and expectations that they have created in the Smith Center and Memorial Stadium are an honor to be a part of. I am excited to continue to build the Illinois offense under the leadership of Coach Bielema and alongside our exceptional staff and student-athletes. Thank you to the Champaign-Urbana community and the University of Illinois for welcoming our family to such a special place. We look forward to being a part of Illinois football in the years to come, as we continue building towards championships!"
"Coach Lunney has had a huge impact in his time here directing our offense," said Bielema. "He has provided an excitement for our offensive players and coaches in the building every day since he came in. The opportunities he has provided our players through his efficient scheme has been vital for the success of our program as we set new expectations going forward. I'm grateful to Josh and our administration for being proactive in locking in Coach Lunney for the future."
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. Illinois is off to a 7-2 start through nine games, its best start since opening 8-1 in 2001, and the Illini are in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten West with a conference record of 4-2.
"Barry Lunney has provided a needed spark to our offense, which has been among the most improved in college football," said Whitman. "He has brought an exciting, efficient system and has guided several of our student-athletes to career years that are earning national recognition. Stability in key leadership positions in the Smith Football Center is important to continuing our upward momentum toward and realizing our championship goals. We are grateful to Barry, Janelle, and their sons for their commitment to the Illinois family."
"When I first spoke with Coach Lunney on the phone, I knew his leadership and determination were what the offense needed to get going," said Brown. "His ability to motivate and engage with guys on the team has pushed me to not only be a better player, but a better teammate. He has laid down the foundation of a championship level offense. This is just the beginning of where he will take this unit."
Lunney's offense has amplified the production of running back Chase Brown, turning the two-time All-Big Ten running back into a Heisman candidate and one of the frontrunners for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back. Brown leads the nation in rushing yards (1,344), all-purpose yards (1,485), rushes of 10+ yards (41), and 100-yard games (9). Brown has already eclipsed his totals for rushing yards and all-purpose yards from last season and he is on pace to shatter Illinois' single-season rushing record.
Lunney's impact as quarterbacks coach has helped Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito have a career year. DeVito is on pace for career highs in nearly every statistical category including completions, passing yards, touchdown passes, and completion percentage. The Big Ten's leader in completion percentage also ranks among the conference's best in completions (3rd), passing efficiency (5th), and passing touchdowns (5th).
Lunney's base salary increases to $800,000 for the 2023 season and $825,000 for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
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.
"I am grateful to Coach Bielema and Josh Whitman for their commitment towards my family and me," said Lunney. "The atmosphere and expectations that they have created in the Smith Center and Memorial Stadium are an honor to be a part of. I am excited to continue to build the Illinois offense under the leadership of Coach Bielema and alongside our exceptional staff and student-athletes. Thank you to the Champaign-Urbana community and the University of Illinois for welcoming our family to such a special place. We look forward to being a part of Illinois football in the years to come, as we continue building towards championships!"
"Coach Lunney has had a huge impact in his time here directing our offense," said Bielema. "He has provided an excitement for our offensive players and coaches in the building every day since he came in. The opportunities he has provided our players through his efficient scheme has been vital for the success of our program as we set new expectations going forward. I'm grateful to Josh and our administration for being proactive in locking in Coach Lunney for the future."
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. Illinois is off to a 7-2 start through nine games, its best start since opening 8-1 in 2001, and the Illini are in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten West with a conference record of 4-2.
"Barry Lunney has provided a needed spark to our offense, which has been among the most improved in college football," said Whitman. "He has brought an exciting, efficient system and has guided several of our student-athletes to career years that are earning national recognition. Stability in key leadership positions in the Smith Football Center is important to continuing our upward momentum toward and realizing our championship goals. We are grateful to Barry, Janelle, and their sons for their commitment to the Illinois family."
"When I first spoke with Coach Lunney on the phone, I knew his leadership and determination were what the offense needed to get going," said Brown. "His ability to motivate and engage with guys on the team has pushed me to not only be a better player, but a better teammate. He has laid down the foundation of a championship level offense. This is just the beginning of where he will take this unit."
Lunney's offense has amplified the production of running back Chase Brown, turning the two-time All-Big Ten running back into a Heisman candidate and one of the frontrunners for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back. Brown leads the nation in rushing yards (1,344), all-purpose yards (1,485), rushes of 10+ yards (41), and 100-yard games (9). Brown has already eclipsed his totals for rushing yards and all-purpose yards from last season and he is on pace to shatter Illinois' single-season rushing record.
Lunney's impact as quarterbacks coach has helped Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito have a career year. DeVito is on pace for career highs in nearly every statistical category including completions, passing yards, touchdown passes, and completion percentage. The Big Ten's leader in completion percentage also ranks among the conference's best in completions (3rd), passing efficiency (5th), and passing touchdowns (5th).
Lunney's base salary increases to $800,000 for the 2023 season and $825,000 for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
