New Illinois coach Tim Beckman has asked Vic Koenning, who has ratcheted up Illinois' defense in his two years in Champaign, to continue in his position as defensive coordinator, Koenning said Tuesday.

Koenning, who is serving as the Illini's interim coach for its Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl appearance, said he plans to make a decision by Wednesday.

``He said he'd like me to stay,'' Koenning said after practice. ``There's a lot of things to consider. I'm so humbled by the amount of people that have called or e-mailed, all the attention that's been put on me. We set every record at Clemson and didn't have this kind of support.''