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Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff Writer 5y

Illinois DC Hardy Nickerson resigns for health reasons

College Football, Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois announced defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson has resigned for health-related reasons Monday.

Nickerson joined head coach Lovie Smith at Illinois in 2016 and had served as linebackers coach in addition to coordinating the defense.

"When I was contacted about being offered this job back in 2016, I was excited for the opportunity to come in to coordinate and run Illinois' defense," Nickerson said. "I had every intention of helping put our defensive student-athletes in the best possible position to win, and, ultimately, to make the University of Illinois community and fans proud of our results. Due to health-related circumstances beyond my control, I must step aside at this time."

The announcement comes after the Illinois defense gave up 712 total yards of offense to Maryland in a 63-33 loss Saturday.

The Illinois defense has struggled all season, ranking 127th among FBS teams in yards allowed, 122nd in rushing yards allowed and 120th in passing yards allowed per game. The Illini are 3-5 overall and tied for last place in the Big Ten West with Minnesota and Nebraska with a 1-4 conference record.

"Hardy informed me yesterday that he felt it was in the program's best interest to leave our staff," Smith said. "I've known and coached with Hardy for many years, and know what an outstanding person he is. We are disappointed in the performance of our defense this season, and we all bear responsibility for that. I wish Hardy nothing but the best as he moves forward with his career."

Illinois  announced Sunday that redshirt defensive tackle Lere Oladipo had been suspended after being arrested in Champaign early Sunday on charges of domestic battery.

Oladipo, 20, was arrested in a school parking lot after university police responded to a call and found a woman with an injury to her lip, a spokesman said. Oladipo was released Sunday on $1,000 bail, police said. He has played in four games this season, totaling seven tackles, and made one start.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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