CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Artur Sitkowski has been promoted to co-quarterbacks coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced. Sitkowski will work alongside offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. in leading the quarterbacks room for the Fighting Illini.
"Art continues to impress in our building every day," said Bielema. "He brings an exceptional energy and passion for Illinois football, and we are excited to be able to promote him from within our program. His voice, knowledge, and demeanor will continue to be a great asset for our current student-athletes and also on the road in recruiting."
"Art's knowledge of our system and ability to coach, teach, and connect with our quarterbacks has been extremely important in the development of our offense," said Lunney. "He is a special coach with unique leadership abilities. I am excited to continue our work together as we grow and develop our quarterbacks room."
"I am extremely blessed and thankful for the opportunity from Coach Bielema and the staff to continue to be a part of this great organization and university," said Sitkowski. "This university has changed my life because of the people in the Smith Center and around the Champaign-Urbana community. I am excited to continue to work and develop our quarterbacks and student-athletes not only in football but in life. ILL!"
Sitkowski finished his second season on the Fighting Illini staff and first as an assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024. He served as a student assistant in 2023 following five seasons playing college football, including two years at Illinois.
In his first season as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024, the Illinois offense powered the Fighting Illini to a 10-3 record, tying the program's single-season wins record, and a final ranking of #16 in the AP Top 25. With All-Big Ten quarterback Luke Altmyer, Illinois featured one of the nation's most efficient passing attacks, which helped the Illini post the No. 3 red zone offense and No. 6 scoring offense in the Big Ten. Altmyer finished the regular season as one of four Power-4 quarterbacks nationally with 20+ touchdowns and five or fewer interceptions, and ranked 33rd in the nation in passing efficiency, to lead the Illini to four top-25 wins in a single season for the third time in program history, capped by a victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in one of the best bowl wins in program history.
Sitkowski finished his playing career at Illinois for two seasons under Bielema from 2021-22, following a three-year stint at Rutgers from 2018-20. He threw for 2,838 yards and 14 touchdowns during his career, including 807 yards and six touchdowns during his two seasons at Illinois. Sitkowski threw only two interceptions on 229 attempts (1 INT per 114.5 attempts) from 2020-21, the third-best among Power-5 quarterbacks over the two-year stretch (average: 39.7).
Sitkowski's career highlights include leading Illinois to a 20-18 win at #7 Penn State in the longest game in college football history (9 OT) in 2021. The next season, he entered the Iowa game in place of injured starter Tommy DeVito and helped lead the Illini to a 9-6 victory over the Hawkeyes as part of Illinois' six-game winning streak that vaulted the Illini to a #14 ranking in the nation.
Sitkowski is a native of Old Bridge, New Jersey. He played high school football at Old Bridge High School for three years before transferring to IMG Academy (Fla.) as a senior.
"Art continues to impress in our building every day," said Bielema. "He brings an exceptional energy and passion for Illinois football, and we are excited to be able to promote him from within our program. His voice, knowledge, and demeanor will continue to be a great asset for our current student-athletes and also on the road in recruiting."
"Art's knowledge of our system and ability to coach, teach, and connect with our quarterbacks has been extremely important in the development of our offense," said Lunney. "He is a special coach with unique leadership abilities. I am excited to continue our work together as we grow and develop our quarterbacks room."
"I am extremely blessed and thankful for the opportunity from Coach Bielema and the staff to continue to be a part of this great organization and university," said Sitkowski. "This university has changed my life because of the people in the Smith Center and around the Champaign-Urbana community. I am excited to continue to work and develop our quarterbacks and student-athletes not only in football but in life. ILL!"
Sitkowski finished his second season on the Fighting Illini staff and first as an assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024. He served as a student assistant in 2023 following five seasons playing college football, including two years at Illinois.
In his first season as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024, the Illinois offense powered the Fighting Illini to a 10-3 record, tying the program's single-season wins record, and a final ranking of #16 in the AP Top 25. With All-Big Ten quarterback Luke Altmyer, Illinois featured one of the nation's most efficient passing attacks, which helped the Illini post the No. 3 red zone offense and No. 6 scoring offense in the Big Ten. Altmyer finished the regular season as one of four Power-4 quarterbacks nationally with 20+ touchdowns and five or fewer interceptions, and ranked 33rd in the nation in passing efficiency, to lead the Illini to four top-25 wins in a single season for the third time in program history, capped by a victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in one of the best bowl wins in program history.
Sitkowski finished his playing career at Illinois for two seasons under Bielema from 2021-22, following a three-year stint at Rutgers from 2018-20. He threw for 2,838 yards and 14 touchdowns during his career, including 807 yards and six touchdowns during his two seasons at Illinois. Sitkowski threw only two interceptions on 229 attempts (1 INT per 114.5 attempts) from 2020-21, the third-best among Power-5 quarterbacks over the two-year stretch (average: 39.7).
Sitkowski's career highlights include leading Illinois to a 20-18 win at #7 Penn State in the longest game in college football history (9 OT) in 2021. The next season, he entered the Iowa game in place of injured starter Tommy DeVito and helped lead the Illini to a 9-6 victory over the Hawkeyes as part of Illinois' six-game winning streak that vaulted the Illini to a #14 ranking in the nation.
Sitkowski is a native of Old Bridge, New Jersey. He played high school football at Old Bridge High School for three years before transferring to IMG Academy (Fla.) as a senior.
