Illinois football coach Lovie Smith has filled out his coaching staff.
Illinois announced on Friday afternoon that Smith has hired Gill Byrd as the Illini's safeties coach, making Byrd the 10th assistant coach at Illinois.
The NCAA passed new legislation last spring allowing coaching staffs to have 10 assistant coaches.
Byrd will work with the Illini's safeties, a position Donnie Abraham had last season. Abraham will shift to coaching cornerbacks for the 2018 season.
"We've spent several seasons together in the NFL and I envision Gill bringing a great combination of knowledge and enthusiasm to our program," Smith said in a statement.