On Sunday's date in Illini history — Jan. 10, 1992 — former Ohio State football standout Lenny Willis was named Illinois running backs coach by head coach Lou Tepper. Twenty-four years later, he’s still in the Champaign-Urbana community with his wife, Arlette, serving his 17th year as UI’s director of sports facilities.
Born in Washington, D.C., he lettered for two great Buckeyes teams in 1974 and ’75, Woody Hayes clubs that had records of 10-2 and 11-1, respectively. His Ohio State teammates included two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, All-Americans Van DeCree, Neal Colzie, Pete Cusick, Kurt Schumacher, Tom Skladany, Ted Smith and Tim Fox, as well as All-Big Ten stars Pete Johnson, Cornelius Greene, Craig Cassidy and Brian Baschnagel.