The former quarterback wasn't away from the orange and blue for long, as Tim Beckman announced Wednesday that O'Toole would join the staff as a graduate assistant.
Reilly O'Toole was arguably the hero of the 2014 season. After starter Wes Lunt was lost to a leg injury, O'Toole took over at the quarterback position and led the team on a furious rally to reach the postseason with two straight victories over Penn State and Northwestern. Now he will be back on the Fighting Illini, but not in his familiar position under center. This time, he will be working as a graduate assistant on Tim Beckman's staff.