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Team Information
| Ground | Memorial Stadium |
| City | Champaign, Illinois |
| Conference | Big Ten, |
| Nickname | Fighting Illini |
Illinois Fighting Illini Football News
About Illinois Fighting Illini Football
The Illinois Fighting Illini football program, affiliated with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, competes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. A pioneering Big Ten Conference's West Division member, the team boasts a rich history with five national championships and 15 Big Ten titles. Founded on a tradition of excellence, the Fighting Illini football program continues to showcase its prowess on the collegiate gridiron, embodying the university's commitment to athletic achievement within the prestigious Big Ten framework.
| Team Name | Illinois Fighting Illini Football |
| First season | 1890 |
| Athletic director | Josh Whitman |
| Head coach | Bret Bielema3rd season, 15–16 (.484) |
| Stadium | Memorial Stadium(capacity: 60,670Record: 78,297) |
| Field surface | FieldTurf |
| Location | Champaign, Illinois |
| Conference | Big Ten Conference |
| Division | West |
| Record | 623–620–50 (.501) |
| Claimed national titles | 5 (1914, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1951) |
| Conference titles | 15 (1910, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1946, 1951, 1953, 1963, 1983, 1990, 2001) |
| Rivalries | Northwestern (rivalry)Missouri (rivalry)Purdue (rivalry)Ohio State (rivalry) |
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a flagship institution in the University of Illinois System, is a renowned public research university. It is nestled in Urbana and Champaign and boasts a sprawling campus and a diverse academic community. Established in 1867, UIUC is celebrated for its cutting-edge research, top-ranked programs, and commitment to innovation. The university excels in engineering, agriculture, and computer science and is home to esteemed faculty and a culturally vibrant student body. Its pioneering contributions to science and technology underscore its global impact, while a rich campus life and spirited athletics enhance the comprehensive collegiate experience.
Illinois Fighting Illini History
The University of Illinois football program traces its roots to 1890 when Scott Williams, the starting quarterback, assumed the dual role of head coach. In 1891, Robert Lackey guided the team to an undefeated 6–0 season. Edward K. Hall, hired in 1892, marked the program's early development with a 12–6–4 record during his two-year tenure. George Huff, the fifth head coach, ushered the Illini into the Big Ten in 1896. After a peak in 1897 with a 6–2 record, subsequent years saw varying success. Arthur Hall's leadership from 1907 to 1912 included an undefeated 7–0 season in 1910, highlighting a formative era in Illini football history.
Illinois Fighting Illini Football Coach
The following is a list of Illinois Fighting Illini head football coaches. The Illinois Fighting Illini football team has had 28 individuals who have maintained the title of head coach. The current head coach is Bret Bielema.
| Coach | Years | Conference Record |
| Scott Williams | 1890 | – |
| Robert Lackey | 1891 | – |
| Edward K. Hall | 1892–1893 | – |
| Louis Vail | 1894 | – |
| George Huff | 1895–1899 | 2–7–1 |
| Fred L. Smith | 1900 | 1–3–2 |
| Edgar Holt | 1901–1902 | 8–4–0 |
| George W. Woodruff | 1903 | 1–5–0 |
| Clyde Matthews | 1904 | 3–1–1 |
| Fred Lowenthal | 1904–1905 | 0–3–0 |
| Justa Lindgren | 1904, 1906 | 1–3–0 |
| Arthur R. Hall | 1904, 1907–1912 | 17–9–2 |
| Robert Zuppke | 1913–1941 | 76–66–8 |
| Ray Eliot | 1942–1959 | 54–55–7 |
| Pete Elliott | 1960–1966 | 22–26–1 |
| Jim Valek | 1967–1970 | 5–23–0 |
| Bob Blackman | 1971–1976 | 24–23–1 |
| Gary Moeller | 1977–1979 | 3–18–3 |
| Mike White | 1980–1987 | 40–26–2 |
| John Mackovic | 1988–1991 | 22–9–1 |
| Lou Tepper | 1991–1996 | 17–21–2 |
| Ron Turner | 1997–2004 | 20–44–0 |
| Ron Zook | 2005–2011 | 18–38–0 |
| Vic Koenning | 2011 | 0–0–0 |
| Tim Beckman | 2012–2014 | 4–20–0 |
| Bill Cubit | 2015 | 2–5–0 |
| Lovie Smith | 2016-2020 | 10–33–0 |
| Rod Smith | 2020 | 0–1–0 |
| Bret Bielema | 2021–present | 9–9 |
| Totals | 28 coaches | 348-427-32 |
Illinois Fighting Illini Football Riverly
Northwestern Rivalry
Initiated in 1892, the Illinois–Northwestern football rivalry spans 112 games, with Illinois leading 56–54–5. The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk trophy, used from 1947 to 2008, was succeeded by the Land of Lincoln Trophy in 2009. Illinois displayed dominance with 11 wins in 12 matchups from 1908 to 1928.
Missouri Rivalry
Modeled after a longstanding basketball rivalry, the Illinois–Missouri football rivalry, though not annual, has seen 24 matchups from 1896 to 2010. Missouri leads 17–7. Renewed in 2026, the series will extend over four years and be played on campus sites.
Purdue Rivalry
Dating back to 1890, the Illinois–Purdue football rivalry is the oldest among the four. Illinois has experienced varied success, winning 11 of 12 games from 1900 to 1911 and six straight from 1988 to 1993. Purdue leads the series, 47–45–6.
Ohio State Rivalry (Illibuck Trophy)
Since 1902, the rivalry with Ohio State, symbolized by the Illibuck trophy, is the second-oldest trophy awarded for a Big Ten rivalry game. Ohio State leads 68–30–4 (excluding the vacated 2010 win). Illinois won five straight from 1988 to 1992 but hasn't defeated Ohio State since 2007. The teams, now in separate divisions, meet at least once in four years.
Illinois Fighting Illini Football Stadium
Memorial Stadium, situated on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus in Champaign, Illinois, is a poignant tribute to the university's students who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I. Dedicated to their memory, the stadium's façade features nearly 200 pillars engraved with the names of these fallen heroes. Primarily a football venue, Memorial Stadium is the spirited home for the Fighting Illini football team. Boasting a capacity of 60,670, the stadium resonates with a rich history and a solemn significance, creating an immersive experience for fans who gather to support their team while honoring the enduring legacy of those who served during a pivotal chapter in world history.
Illinois Fighting Illini Football Championship
National championships
Illinois Football has earned recognition as national champions in five seasons (1914, 1919, 1923, 1927, 1951), determined by NCAA-designated major selectors employing mathematical algorithms. While the Fighting Illini asserts these titles based on retrospective evaluations, with selections made years later, it's noteworthy that only Dickinson in 1927 and Boand in 1951 were contemporaneous. The tradition of choosing consensus champions commenced in 1950. Despite these historical achievements, Illinois has never concluded a season ranked No. 1 in either the AP Poll or Coaches' Poll, emphasizing the historical context of their national championship claims.
| Year | Coach | Selector | Record | Bowl game | Final AP | Final Coaches |
| 1914 | Bob Zuppke | Billingsley, Parke Davis (both co-champions) | 7–0 | – | – | |
| 1919 | Bob Zuppke | Billingsley, Boand, Football Researchers, Parke Davis, Sagarin (all co-champions except Boand) | 6–1 | – | – | |
| 1923 | Bob Zuppke | Berryman, Boand, Football Researchers, Helms, National Championship Foundation, Parke Davis, Sagarin (Berryman, NCF, Sagarin co-champions) | 8–0 | – | – | |
| 1927 | Bob Zuppke | Billingsley, Dickinson, Helms, National Championship Foundation, Parke Davis | 7–0–1 | – | – | |
| 1951 | Ray Eliot | Boand (co-champion) | 9–0–1 | W Rose Bowl | No. 4 | No. 3 |
Conference championships
Illinois has won 15 conference championships, eight outright and seven shared.
| Year | Conference | Coach | Conference record | Overall record |
| 1910 | Western Conference | Arthur Hall | 4–0 | 7–0 |
| 1914 | Western Conference | Bob Zuppke | 6–0 | 7–0 |
| 1915 | Western Conference | Bob Zuppke | 3–0–2 | 5–0–2 |
| 1918 | Western Conference | Bob Zuppke | 4–0 | 5–2 |
| 1919 | Western Conference | Bob Zuppke | 6–1 | 6–1 |
| 1923 | Western Conference | Bob Zuppke | 5–0 | 8–0 |
| 1927 | Western Conference | Bob Zuppke | 5–0 | 7–0–1 |
| 1928 | Western Conference | Bob Zuppke | 4–1 | 7–1 |
| 1946 | Western Conference | Ray Eliot | 6–1 | 8–2 |
| 1951 | Big Ten Conference | Ray Eliot | 5–0–1 | 9–0–1 |
| 1953 | Big Ten Conference | Ray Eliot | 5–1 | 7–1–1 |
| 1963 | Big Ten Conference | Pete Elliott | 5–1–1 | 8–1–1 |
| 1983 | Big Ten Conference | Mike White | 9–0 | 10–2 |
| 1990 | Big Ten Conference | John Mackovic | 6–2 | 8–4 |
| 2001 | Big Ten Conference | Ron Turner | 7–1 | 10–2 |
FAQs
A: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1867.
A: The team claimed national championships for five seasons: 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927, and 1951.
A: Memorial Stadium has a seating capacity of 60,670.
A: The primary rivals include Northwestern, Purdue, Ohio State, and a non-Big Ten rival, Missouri.
A: The tradition of selecting consensus champions began in 1950.
