CHAMPAIGN — Assistant coach Donnie Abraham resigned from the Illinois football staff Tuesday night. Illini coach Lovie Smith said the now former defensive backs coach has left the team "for personal reasons."
“Donnie informed me that he felt it was in his best interest to leave our staff,” Smith said in a release. “I fully support his decision and wish him the best moving forward. Our current coaching staff will absorb his responsibilities.”
Abraham joined Smith's coaching staff in the spring of 2017 and coached the Illinois safeties last season. Bennett Williams earned ESPN.com Freshman All-American honors in 2017 after finishing fifth on the team with 64 tackles at safety and leading the Illini defense with three interceptions.