Mike Neu, previously the head coach at Ball State, has been hired by coach Bret Bielema at Illinois to fill the position of senior offensive analyst, the program announced Thursday. The news was initially reported on social media by ESPN's Pete Thamel on Wednesday.

Former Ball State football coach Mike Neu has been hired as an offensive assistant at Illinois, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel:

Former Ball State coach Mike Neu has joined Illinois’ staff as a senior offensive assistant. Illinois coach Bret Bielema announced the hire Thursday. Neu went 40-63 at Ball State from 2016-24. He was fired in November,

Sources: Former Ball State coach Mike Neu has accepted a job as a senior offensive assistant at Illinois. He was the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints (2014-15) and at Tulane (2012-13) prior to taking the Ball State head coaching job in 2016.

Illinois just bolstered their offensive coaching staff. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Mike Neu has accepted a job as a senior offensive assistant. Neu, was the Ball State head coach from 2016 until his firing during the 2024 season.