Illinois hires ex-QB Nathan Scheelhaase as assistant director

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois has hired former Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase as the assistant director of football operations.

The school said Tuesday that Scheelhaase will take over the position vacated recently by fellow former quarterback Juice Williams, who took a job at Georgetown.

Coach Tim Beckman said Scheelhaase's strong relationships with coaches, players and alumni should be an asset to the program.

Scheelhaase said he looked forward to coming back to a campus he said is home. Scheelhaase was a starter for four seasons at Illinois between 2010 and 2013. He is the school's all-time leader in total offense with 10,634 combined yards.

Scheelhaase duties include coordinating on-campus recruiting and athlete housing.