CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Robby Hauck has been named Illinois' assistant defensive backs coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced. Hauck is one of the all-time leading tacklers in FCS history and most recently served as special teams coordinator and safeties coach at Portland State.Â
"Coach Hauck brings valuable experience coordinating a special teams unit over the last two seasons and a deep knowledge of our defense to our Illini FamILLy," said Bielema. "He was an accomplished player that understands how to execute within our scheme. We are excited to welcome Coach Hauck to our program."
"It is truly an honor and privilege to work for Coach Bret Bielema and be part of the Illinois Fighting Illini program," said Hauck. "There is a strong standard of hard work, toughness, and commitment to the team here. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to join such a great group of coaches and players."
Hauck spent three seasons on the coaching staff at Portland State, climbing from nickelbacks/special teams assistant (2023) to special teams coordinator/tight ends coach (2024) to special teams coordinator/safeties coach (2025). He joined the Portland State staff in 2023 after a six-month stint as the recruiting coordinator at San Diego State.
Hauck, a three-time All-American and three-time Academic All-American at Montana, was one of the most decorated players in FCS history as a safety for the Grizzlies from 2018-22. He set the Big Sky and Montana program records with 482 career tackles and left the program with the sixth-most tackles in FCS history.
Hauck's three All-America selections included a spot on the Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team as a senior in 2022, while also being named a finalist for the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year award. He finished in the FCS top 10 in total tackles during three straight seasons with 118 tackles as a senior, 128 as a junior, and 129 as a sophomore. He also had 95 stops during his freshman campaign that ended in Freshman All-America honors.Â
Hauck cemented his place among the nation's elite student-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom, when he was named to a third straight Academic All-America Team in 2022. He earned three degrees from the University of Montana: a bachelor's in business administration, a bachelor's in management information systems, and a master's in business administration.Â
Hauck was a team leader and two-time team captain at Montana. During his playing career, Hauck led the Grizzlies to 36 wins, three FCS playoff appearances, and two top-10 finishes in the national rankings.Â
