CHAMPAIGN — Former Illinois football player and assistant coach Mike Bellamy is returning to the school as running backs coach, sources close to the program confirmed Friday. Bellamy joining Lovie Smith's coaching staff means a former Illini will still be on the staff after Luke Butkus left earlier this month for a job with the Green Bay Packers.
Bellamy was a standout receiver at Illinois. He caught 59 passes for 927 yard and eight touchdowns in his two seasons with the Illini and was a second team All-American as a kick return as a senior in 1989. Bellamy was selected in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 51st overall pick.