Ron Zook tried to keep Reggie Mitchell. But Illinois' assistant head coach, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator has decided to join the staff of new Kansas coach Turner Gill, several media outlets in Kansas are reporting. Mitchell brings a wealth of recruiting contacts, especially in Chicago and St. Louis, that will be missed by Zook's staff.
But the lure of working for new Jayhawks coach Turner Gill was too strong for Mitchell, who coached defensive line and running backs at Kansas under Glen Mason in 1988-1996.
The overhaul of the Illinois staff might not be completed yet. Demoted co-defensive coordinator Curt Mallory has surfaced as a candidate at several other schools. And Dan Disch, Illinos' other former co-defensive coordinator, also might be making inquiries.
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But the lure of working for new Jayhawks coach Turner Gill was too strong for Mitchell, who coached defensive line and running backs at Kansas under Glen Mason in 1988-1996.
The overhaul of the Illinois staff might not be completed yet. Demoted co-defensive coordinator Curt Mallory has surfaced as a candidate at several other schools. And Dan Disch, Illinos' other former co-defensive coordinator, also might be making inquiries.
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Herb Gould started with the Sun-Times in 1977 and has covered several teams, including the Blackhawks. He is a long-time beat reporter covering the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten for the Sun-Times.

GREAT MOVE, EVERYONE LOVES TO BUILD SOMETHING FROM THE GROUND UP, HE KNOWS THE AREA, HE WILL BE MISSED AT U OF I, BUT THIS NEW JOB AT KU WAS ONE THAT HE COULDN'T PASS UP!
WHEN TURNER GILL SAID THAT HE WANTS TO BEAT MISSOURI, IT REMINDED ME OF LOVIE SMITH WHEN HE FIRST TOOK THE BEARS JOB AND HE SAID ONE OF HIS GOALS WERE TO BEAT GREEN BAY!
ROCKCHALK JAYHAWK!