Jeff Hecklinski has been fired as the Illinois tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, a source close to the program told The News-Gazette on Friday.
Hecklinski, a former Illinois quarterback, is the sixth assistant coach Lovie Smith has let go since Smith took control of the program on Monday. Hecklinski, a former Michigan assistant under Brady Hoke, was hired at Illinois in December by Bill Cubit, who Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman fired last Saturday.
Hecklinski joins former UI assistant coaches Ryan Cubit, Mike Bellamy, Al Seamonson, Tim McGarigle and A.J. Ricker among those fired by Illinois in the last week.