Illinois Fighting Illini hire Barry Lunney Jr. to replace Tony Petersen as offensive coordinator

Illinoishas hiredBarry Lunney Jr. to be the football team's new offensive coordinator a day after firing Tony Petersen, who lasted one season with the Fighting Illini.

Head coach Bret Bielema announced Lunney's hiring Saturday.

"I am so excited to bring Barry Lunney to the University of Illinois family and put him in a position to lead our offense," Bielema said on the team's website. "He has had success at every level he has coached and has a system that will help take our offense to a new level of success.

Lunney comes fromUTSA, where he served as the Roadrunners'associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. UTSA had the 11th-ranked offense in the nation this season.

Illinois, meanwhile, ranked 11th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (20.2 points per game), 10th in total offense (329.4 yards per game) and last in passing offense (156.2 yards per game).

Lunney has previously worked under Bielema atArkansas, coaching the tight ends for five seasons at his alma mater.