CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois all-time great John Holecek will be the Fighting Illini's honorary captain when Illinois takes on Indiana on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Illini and Hoosiers kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
Holecek started 34 games and had 436 career tackles while wearing the Orange and Blue, the fifth-most in Illinois history. He had three straight seasons of 100+ tackles, including 137 in 1992 and 136 in 1993. Holecek earned Football News All-American honorable mention honors in both 1992 and 1993, prior to having 101 tackles as a team captain in 1994.
Playing alongside fellow Illini legend Dana Howard, Holecek was a three-time All-Big Ten standout. He earned honorable mention recognition as a sophomore, first-team honors as a junior, and second-team honors as a sophomore. Holecek and Howard combined for 1,031 tackles from 1991-94, the most ever by a linebacker duo in Fighting Illini history. Along with Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy, Holecek and Howard made up the foursome that gave Illinois the "Linebacker U" nickname in the 1990s.
Holecek was a fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1995 and played seven seasons in the NFL. Following his playing career, he became a legendary IHSA coach, leading Loyola Academy to seven state title games and state championships in 2015, 2017, and 2022.
Holecek started 34 games and had 436 career tackles while wearing the Orange and Blue, the fifth-most in Illinois history. He had three straight seasons of 100+ tackles, including 137 in 1992 and 136 in 1993. Holecek earned Football News All-American honorable mention honors in both 1992 and 1993, prior to having 101 tackles as a team captain in 1994.
Playing alongside fellow Illini legend Dana Howard, Holecek was a three-time All-Big Ten standout. He earned honorable mention recognition as a sophomore, first-team honors as a junior, and second-team honors as a sophomore. Holecek and Howard combined for 1,031 tackles from 1991-94, the most ever by a linebacker duo in Fighting Illini history. Along with Simeon Rice and Kevin Hardy, Holecek and Howard made up the foursome that gave Illinois the "Linebacker U" nickname in the 1990s.
Holecek was a fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1995 and played seven seasons in the NFL. Following his playing career, he became a legendary IHSA coach, leading Loyola Academy to seven state title games and state championships in 2015, 2017, and 2022.
