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DC Kevin Kane to join Illinois staff

Kevin Kane spent three seasons rebuilding the defense on SMU. On Thursday, it was announced that Kane would be heading to the Big Ten Conference.

Per a report by ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Kane will join Illinois as an associate head coach and outside linebackers coach. It was later confirmed by Illinois football and sources from SMU.

"It is a pleasure to name Kevin Kane as the final addition of our coaching staff at the University of Illinois," new head coach Bret Bielema said via release. "I first hired Kevin as a defensive graduate assistant and now I've seen his career grow, develop and flourish in the coaching profession as an assistant coach as well as a coordinator. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our staff at Illinois."

Kane is the first assistant coach to step away from head coach Sonny Dykes' staff since offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who joined the Miami staff last season in the same capacity.

"I am fired up to get back to Illinois and work with Coach B," Kane said via release. "I've previously coached in the state of Illinois and worked for Coach B, and I know we will have success here.

"He has hired a great group of coaches and staff who know what it takes to recruit, coach and develop young men on and off the field. It's a great time to be at Illinois, and I'm more than excited to be a part of it."

A college football head coaching finalist in the past, Kane led SMU to a national top-80 finish in total defense. The Mustangs in 2020 featured players in linebacker Delano Robinson, cornerback Brandon Stephens and linebacker Richard McBryde, along with a talented, young defensive front.

SMU ranked among the best in the country in sacks during the 2019 season. He helped the Mustangs compete in the Boca Raton Bowl during the 2019 season and qualify for the Frisco Bowl this past season. The Frisco Bowl wasn't played because of COVID-19.

In addition to serving as the defensive coordinator, Kane also was the linebackers coach for the Mustangs.

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