Former Illini Matt Sinclair Joins Football Staff

Lost amid things that were much more important on Monday, Illinois announced that it had added former Illini linebacker Matt Sinclair to its coaching staff. Sinclair has been named the assistant director of player personnel and relations, which is the position Mike Bellamy held before he was promoted to wide receivers coach.

"Matt Sinclair is an outstanding addition to our football staff and Fighting Illini family," said Tim Beckman in the release. "Matt had an outstanding career here and professionally, and has terrific relationships to many of the former Fighting Illini players. Matt's primary responsibilities will be to connect our current team with our former players, while also working with our recruiting connections on campus. Connecting the rich history of the Fighting Illini program to the current team and the future Fighting Illini is imperative as we continue to move forward."

Sinclair played for the Illini from 2001 to 2004.

Matt had spent the last four years as co-defensive coordinator, linebackers, and special teams coach at Wheaton Warrenville South High School, which has won two IHSA Class 7A state titles since Sinclair joined the staff, and nearly added a third title in 2011 before losing in the championship game.

It's also the school we got Reilly O'Toole from.

As for what Sinclair's duties will be in his new position, he'll be in charge of all former player events, assist with on-campus recruiting and recruiting mailings, help coordinate the annual Illinois high school coaching clinic and coordinate all functions with Block I, fraternities and sororities. But what is most important to Sinclair, in all likelihood, is that this gets his foot in the door for college coaching positions in the future.

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