Bielema adds two more to coaching staff

Illinois announced two more hires to Bret Bielema’s initial coaching staff on Sunday.

Bielema said Ben Miller will be Illinois’ tight ends coach, moving to Champaign after 14 seasons on the staff at Air Force. Miller spent the 2006 season as the offensive GA at Illinois under Ron Zook and spent the last 10 as Air Force’s special teams coordinator.

“I’m beyond excited to be at Illinois and part of Coach Bielema’s staff,” Miller said in a statement. “This is an exciting time for Illini football. I am impressed with Coach Bielema’s philosophy and vision. Illinois has definitely hired the right head football coach with a proven track record in the Big Ten. My family and I are thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of one of America’s top academic universities and the Illini Football program.”

Before working at Illinois in 2006, Miller was an all-conference OL for the Falcons and signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns. He also spent time on the Eagles’ practice squad.

Illinois also officially added Terrance Jamison to the staff Sunday. Jamison joins Illinois as the defensive line coach after one season at Purdue.

Jamison played on the defensive line for the Wisconsin Badgers under Bret Bielema from 2005-06 and served four seasons as a student assistant, quality control assistant, and graduate assistant.

“It is an absolute pleasure to name Terrance Jamison as our defensive line coach here at the University of Illinois,” Bielema said in a statement. “He is a native of the state of Illinois and will be a great addition to our recruiting effort as well as the development of our student-athletes on the football field to help us win championships here at the University of Illinois.”

Jamison said in a statement he would not be the coach he is today without Bielema’s guidance.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to grow and serve at one of the finest institutions in the country,” Jamison said. “My family and I are thankful and excited to be back home. We know that champions dwell here.”

Jamison and Miller served on Air Force’s staff today in 2019. He also coached at Texas Tech and Florida Atlantic.