CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois completed its defensive coaching staff for the 2019 season with the additions of Keynodo Hudson (cornerbacks) and Miles Smith (linebackers). Head coach Lovie Smith will serve as the Fighting Illini's defensive coordinator.
"I feel great about where we are with our defensive staff," Smith said. "Keynodo and Miles both bring terrific energy and enthusiasm to our program. Key will be an outstanding addition to the defensive backs room. He adds to our strong contacts in the state of Florida and is a fast-rising coach in the profession. Miles proved himself on the practice field and in the meeting room last fall and has earned the opportunity for this permanent position. I saw tremendous growth in his coaching ability as the year went along. I have called the defensive plays for many years, so I feel very comfortable in taking on the role as defensive coordinator. I will also be working with the linebackers on a daily basis for additional input at that position."
Lovie Smith - Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Smith, the 25th head football coach at Illinois, will begin his fourth season as head coach of the Fighting Illini in 2019. It will be his first as defensive coordinator.
Smith has been involved in highly successful defenses throughout his career, both as an assistant and a head coach. He went 81-63 as head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2004-12 with teams that featured one of the best defenses of the era. Smith's tenure in Chicago, which was highlighted by an appearance in Super Bowl XLI, featured All-Pro linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, cornerback Charles Tillman, and defensive end Julius Peppers.
Smith's most recent defensive coordinator role was in 2003 with the St. Louis Rams before he took over as Bears' head coach and then head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccanneers (2014-15). Smith spent three seasons with St. Louis as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (2003) and defensive coordinator (2001-02). He helped the 2001 Rams to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVI, falling to the New England Patriots while holding the Patriots' offense to 267 yards and 10 points.
Keynodo Hudson - Cornerbacks Coach
Hudson comes to Illinois from Florida Atlantics where he spent the previous two seasons as cornerbacks coach. In his first season at FAU in 2017, Hudson helped the Owls finish No. 2 nationally in interceptions with a program-record 20 on their way to an 11-3 record.
Prior to FAU, Hudson spent six seasons as a defensive administrative assistant at Southern California. The Trojans had three 10-win seasons during Hudson's time in Los Angeles, including a win in the 2017 Rose Bowl over Penn State that helped USC finish No. 3 in the final AP poll.
Hudson started his career at the University of Charleston (2004-06) before becoming the defensive coordinator at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida (2007-10). He played college football at Reedley College from 1997-00 before transferring to West Virginia Tech where he played his final season and graduated in 2004.
Personal
Born: September 6, 1978
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Education: West Virginia Tech '04 (general education)
Family: Yvonne, Karin, Keaunna, Kyla, Keira, and Iyanna
Coaching Experience
2019 – Illinois (Cornerbacks)
2017-18 – Florida Atlantic University (Assistant Coach/CB)
2011-16 – USC (Defensive Administrative Assistant)
2007-10 - Mainland High School (Defensive Coordinator)
2004-06 – University of Charleston (Assistant Coach/Secondary)
Miles Smith - Linebackers Coach
Smith stays on staff at Illinois for his second season after serving as defensive backs coach in 2018. Miles began 2018 working with outside linebackers and nickel defensive back in his first season as a graduate assistant coach for the Fighting Illini before being elevated to defensive backs coach for the season after the departure of Donnie Abraham during training camp.
Smith spent two years as a defensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014 and 2015. He graduated from Lake Forest College in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in history. Smith is the youngest son of Illinois head coach Lovie Smith.
Personal
Hometown: Lake Forest, Ill.
Education: Lake Forest College '13 (history)
Wife: Kara
Coaching Experience
2019 – Illinois (Linebackers)
2018 – Illinois (Defensive Backs)
2014-15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Defensive Quality Control)
"I feel great about where we are with our defensive staff," Smith said. "Keynodo and Miles both bring terrific energy and enthusiasm to our program. Key will be an outstanding addition to the defensive backs room. He adds to our strong contacts in the state of Florida and is a fast-rising coach in the profession. Miles proved himself on the practice field and in the meeting room last fall and has earned the opportunity for this permanent position. I saw tremendous growth in his coaching ability as the year went along. I have called the defensive plays for many years, so I feel very comfortable in taking on the role as defensive coordinator. I will also be working with the linebackers on a daily basis for additional input at that position."
Lovie Smith - Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Smith, the 25th head football coach at Illinois, will begin his fourth season as head coach of the Fighting Illini in 2019. It will be his first as defensive coordinator.
Smith has been involved in highly successful defenses throughout his career, both as an assistant and a head coach. He went 81-63 as head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2004-12 with teams that featured one of the best defenses of the era. Smith's tenure in Chicago, which was highlighted by an appearance in Super Bowl XLI, featured All-Pro linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, cornerback Charles Tillman, and defensive end Julius Peppers.
Smith's most recent defensive coordinator role was in 2003 with the St. Louis Rams before he took over as Bears' head coach and then head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccanneers (2014-15). Smith spent three seasons with St. Louis as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (2003) and defensive coordinator (2001-02). He helped the 2001 Rams to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVI, falling to the New England Patriots while holding the Patriots' offense to 267 yards and 10 points.
Keynodo Hudson - Cornerbacks Coach
Hudson comes to Illinois from Florida Atlantics where he spent the previous two seasons as cornerbacks coach. In his first season at FAU in 2017, Hudson helped the Owls finish No. 2 nationally in interceptions with a program-record 20 on their way to an 11-3 record.
Prior to FAU, Hudson spent six seasons as a defensive administrative assistant at Southern California. The Trojans had three 10-win seasons during Hudson's time in Los Angeles, including a win in the 2017 Rose Bowl over Penn State that helped USC finish No. 3 in the final AP poll.
Hudson started his career at the University of Charleston (2004-06) before becoming the defensive coordinator at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida (2007-10). He played college football at Reedley College from 1997-00 before transferring to West Virginia Tech where he played his final season and graduated in 2004.
Personal
Born: September 6, 1978
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Education: West Virginia Tech '04 (general education)
Family: Yvonne, Karin, Keaunna, Kyla, Keira, and Iyanna
Coaching Experience
2019 – Illinois (Cornerbacks)
2017-18 – Florida Atlantic University (Assistant Coach/CB)
2011-16 – USC (Defensive Administrative Assistant)
2007-10 - Mainland High School (Defensive Coordinator)
2004-06 – University of Charleston (Assistant Coach/Secondary)
Miles Smith - Linebackers Coach
Smith stays on staff at Illinois for his second season after serving as defensive backs coach in 2018. Miles began 2018 working with outside linebackers and nickel defensive back in his first season as a graduate assistant coach for the Fighting Illini before being elevated to defensive backs coach for the season after the departure of Donnie Abraham during training camp.
Smith spent two years as a defensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014 and 2015. He graduated from Lake Forest College in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in history. Smith is the youngest son of Illinois head coach Lovie Smith.
Personal
Hometown: Lake Forest, Ill.
Education: Lake Forest College '13 (history)
Wife: Kara
Coaching Experience
2019 – Illinois (Linebackers)
2018 – Illinois (Defensive Backs)
2014-15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Defensive Quality Control)
