Illinois College Men's Football

A longtime fixture at Illinois College, the 2026 campaign will be Ray DeFrisco’s 11th season as the head coach and 21st with the Blueboy football program. DeFrisco has been immersed in every level of Blueboy football for over two decades and is the only person to be a part of every playoff team in school history. His leadership has been instrumental in building a program that is now enjoying the winningest stretch in school history. Highly respected among his coaching peers for his integrity and loyalty, DeFrisco has worked diligently to instill the culture of FAMILY as the guiding principle for the program's future. The strength of Blueboy Football is bound together by the love and respect each member of the program has for one another. This environment has been built through honest feedback, intentional relationship building, and clarity in every aspect of the program's operation. IC is in the midst of the program’s winningest three-year stretch, accumulating 25 victories and making two postseason appearances in that period. IC is coming off an 8-3 season that earned the Blueboys a berth in the SmileyCookie.com Lakefront Bowl. It was the third postseason appearance in school history and the second in three years. Under DeFrisco’s guidance, IC finished second in the Midwest Conference with a 7-2 slate. IC landed 12 players on the conference’s postseason teams, including four on defense and two each on offense and special teams, respectively. The Blueboys had another successful season in 2024 as they posted an 8-2 record. IC led the nation in total offense (589.4 yards per game) and scoring offense (55.4 points per game). Individually, senior wide receiver Collin Brunstein led the nation in receiving yards (1,450) and receiving touchdowns (27). He concluded his career with 77 touchdown catches, making him the NCAA’s all-time leader among all divisions. He was named first-team All-American by The College Football Network and the Associated Press, a second-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association, and a fourth-team pick by d3football.com. Quarterback Destin Chance was a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which goes to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. Brunstein and Chance earned All-Region honors, while 13 Blueboys were named All-Midwest Conference. DeFrisco’s culture was fully on display throughout the 2023 season as IC posted the most memorable season in the 128-year history of the program. Rolling to a 9-2 overall record and a Midwest Conference championship with an 8-1 league ledger, the Blueboys made an appearance in the NCAA Playoffs for just the second time in school history. En route to the postseason berth, the IC offense obliterated both the school and conference record books by recording 6,147 total yards (558.8 yards per game) and 522 points (47.5 per game), as well as breaking every single-season school passing and receiving record. Individually, IC had three players earn All-American honors in the same season - Brunstein, Chance, and linebacker Charlie Patterson – for the first time. Chance was also a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy. For his efforts, DeFrisco was named the conference’s Coach of the Year, and a total of 13 Blueboys earned all-conference honors. DeFrisco was named IC’s head coach in May of 2016, and the program has been on an upward trajectory ever since.  The 2016 season was one of transition, but one that saw Illinois College win six games and produce seven All-Midwest Conference selections. The 2017 season concluded with a 32-27 win over Macalester College to bring the Blueboys to a 5-5 record, led by seven All-Midwest Conference selections along with the Midwest Conference South Division Newcomer of the Year. In 2018, 10 members of the Illinois College team were named All-MWC South Division selections. Despite having a game removed from their schedule in 2019, IC still produced a six-win season and had two of the top offensive and defensive units in the MWC. Before becoming the IC head coach, DeFrisco was highly regarded as the Blueboys’ Defensive Coordinator, a position he held from 2008-15. During this time, the school’s defensive record books were rewritten by some of the best players to ever grace the Hilltop. DeFrisco tutored 44 All-Midwest Conference selections along with three Midwest Conference Players of the Year (Ricky Padilla, 2010; Kurt Frischman, 2013; James Dambacher, 2014). The Blueboys' unprecedented team success also began during Coach DeFrisco's time as coordinator, highlighted by the program's first-ever NCAA playoff berth in 2011.  From 2006-2007, DeFrisco served as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. The Blueboys led the Midwest Conference in both kickoff and punt returns in 2006 and were in the top half of the league in all other special team categories. Before coming to IC, DeFrisco served as an assistant director of admissions and taught physical education and health, while also getting his start in coaching at St. Patrick’s High School in Chicago. While with the Shamrocks, DeFrisco served as head sophomore coach as well as the defensive coordinator for the varsity team. DeFrisco earned a Bachelor of Science from North Park in 2002 and his Master’s degree from Ashford in 2010. DeFrisco and his wife, Krista, reside in Jacksonville with their children: Peyton, Aiden, Gemma, and Giovanni.

Gerik Garlington returned to Illinois College in 2026 as an assistant football coach as the defensive back coach and pass game coordinator. He brings experience from both the NCAA Division II and Division III levels. Before returning to the Hilltop, Garlington spent two seasons at Wheaton College, where he served as an assistant coach working with the defensive backs in 2024 before transitioning to wide receivers in 2025. In addition to coaching his position groups, he served as the program's video coordinator, co-spiritual development coordinator, assistant strength coach, and oversaw the kickoff return, field goal block, and swinging gate special teams units. His kickoff return unit led the conference and was 18th nationally, and he mentored four all-conference selections and a pair of all-region picks. Wheaton also experienced postseason success, reaching the NCAA Division III quarterfinals in 2025 after winning the Culver's Isthmus Bowl in 2024. Garlington also coordinated Wheaton’s scout team installation meetings, managed opponent film breakdowns, and created detailed scouting reports covering personnel, situational tendencies, coverages, and offensive concepts. On game days, he played a key role in personnel communication, coverage identification, and signaling while assisting with the Thunder's strength and speed development program. He also recruited throughout Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, and Florida. Before his time at Wheaton, Garlington spent two-and-a-half seasons as a graduate assistant at Southwest Baptist University, where he coached defensive backs while assisting with the program's strength and conditioning efforts. His secondary helped the defense lead the conference, and two of his backs were all-conference honorees. His responsibilities at SBU also included directing position meetings, coordinating scout offenses, leading defensive and summer strength sessions, serving as the defensive signal caller, managing Hudl film operations, designing scout cards and defensive playbooks using Visio, and recruiting across Missouri, Illinois, and Texas. A 2021 graduate of Illinois College with a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences, Garlington was a three-year starter in the secondary for the Blueboys, playing both cornerback and safety. He served as a team captain during his senior season and was actively involved across campus as a strength and conditioning intern, member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Black Student Union, Pi Pi Rho Literary Society, and the College's Justice, Equity, and Inclusion Team. Garlington earned his master's degree in Athletic Administration from Southwest Baptist University in 2023.

Justin Hocker joined the Illinois College football coaching staff as an assistant coach working with the Blueboys' wide receivers and tight ends in 2026. Hocker arrives on the Hilltop after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Benedictine University during the spring of 2025, where he worked with the Eagles' wide receivers and tight ends. In that role, he directed individual position drills, conducted film sessions, and assisted with player development while contributing to opponent scouting reports, offensive game planning, and weekly practice preparation. He also coordinated recruiting operations, including prospect evaluations and campus visits, while overseeing academic accountability and player development initiatives. During the 2025 season, Hocker also served as the varsity wide receivers and tight ends coach at West Chicago Community High School. He focused on skill development, route concepts, and football IQ while assisting with offensive scouting reports, film breakdown, and game preparation. On game days, he served as the booth coach, providing in-game communication and offensive adjustments. Prior to beginning his coaching career, Hocker was a standout student-athlete at Benedictine University from 2021-24. A two-time All-Conference selection at tight end and wide receiver, he served as a team captain and earned the program's Most Improved Player award. He was also actively involved in recruiting efforts, hosting prospective student-athletes during campus visits. Before transferring to Benedictine, Hocker spent two seasons as a student assistant with the University of Illinois football program from 2019-21. There, he supported daily football operations, practice organization, and sideline management while gaining valuable experience in a Division I program. Hocker earned his Master of Business Administration from Benedictine University in 2025 and also received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Benedictine in 2023, graduating cum laude.

Cade Sortino joined the Illinois College football coaching staff in 2026 as an assistant coach working with the defensive line, bringing experience in defensive coaching, video operations, recruiting, and player development at both the NAIA and collegiate levels. Sortino arrives on the Hilltop after serving as Interim/Assistant Defensive Line Coach and Co-Video Coordinator at Midland University. In this role, he directed the development of the defensive line, led position meetings and installations, monitored academic progress, and coordinated scout team preparation. He also assisted the defensive coordinator on game days by identifying pass protections, evaluating front-six alignments from the press box, and assisting with clock management. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Sortino oversaw Midland's video operations, filmed practices and games, produced highlight videos, managed the HUDL film exchange, and utilized DJI drone technology for practice filming. He also played a key role in defensive game planning by creating scouting reports, conducting opponent and self-scout analysis, breaking down game film, and preparing weekly game plan materials for coaches and players. Sortino was actively involved in the recruiting process, building relationships with high school and junior college coaches, communicating with prospective student-athletes, and organizing official campus visits. Prior to his stint at Midland, Sortino served as a defensive student assistant coach at Dakota State University following a four-year playing career with the Trojans. As a student assistant, he was responsible for opponent breakdowns, practice scripting, scouting reports, defensive analytics, charting plays during games, and coordinating logistics for coaches on road trips. He also facilitated scout team operations and assisted with audiovisual support for position meetings. While at Midland, Sortino helped mentor standout student-athletes, including GPAC All-Conference selections Gabe Van Winkle and Dane Christensen. He also taught a semester-long Theory of Coaching course and volunteered with Dakota State youth football and strength and conditioning camps. A native of Omaha, Neb., Sortino earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Dakota State University in 2023. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Sport Administration and Leadership from Midland University and holds Nebraska K-12 Physical Education teaching certification.

Sam Chilsen joined the Blueboy football staff in March of 2025 as the offensive coordinator. Sam comes to IC after serving as an offensive assistant at Idaho from 2023-25. During his time with the Vandals, the program posted a 19-8 record and made a pair of appearances in the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Last season, Idaho’s offense ranked among the nation’s top 20 in three team statistical categories, and in 2023, the Vandals cracked the top 20 in five categories. Prior to Idaho, Chilsen served as the quarterback and wide receiver coach at Valley City State University from 2022-23. He was also an offensive graduate assistant and tight ends coach at Northern State University from 2020-22. Sam helped the Wolves to a 7-4 record and their first Division II regional ranking in program history. Chilsen spent two seasons at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (2018-20) as a running backs coach in 2019 and an assistant quarterback coach in 2018. He helped the Eagles earn back-to-back seven-win seasons. As an undergraduate at Wisconsin Eau Claire, Chilsen was an undergraduate assistant for the Blugolds and helped in video coordination, on-campus recruiting, and film breakdown. Sam received his bachelor’s in business administration with a focus in Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in 2018 and a Master of Science in Education (Sport Performance & Leadership) at Northern State University in 2021.  Chilsen is a native of Onalaska, Wisconsin.  

Jimmy Champion is in his third season at Illinois College, and his first as the Defensive Coordinator after serving the previous two seasons as the Linebackers Coach. The Blueboys have had a successful run in Champion's tenure on the Hilltop, posting a 16-5 record and an appearance in the SmileyCookies.com Lakefront Bowl in 2025. Jimmy coached Safeties at Bemidji State University during the 2023 season, where he mentored two all-conference performers and helped the Beaver defense rank in the top three in multiple statistics, including first in scoring, defensive efficiency, and opponent 3rd down conversion.  Bemidji State reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs and hosted a second-round game for the first time.  Before joining the staff at Bemidji State, Champion was the Outside Linebacker Coach/Video Coordinator at Ferris State from 2020-22. He was a part of the staff that helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back National Championships.  His coaching career began as a student assistant (working with the wide receivers) at Ferris from 2016-20. During his time in this position, the Bulldogs were 74-8 while he helped coach multiple all-league performers.  Champion received a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in educational leadership from Ferris State. He currently resides in Springfield with his wife Alyssa and their two dogs Mavis, and Ed.

Bryan Wade is in his third season as a member of the Illinois College coaching staff and his first coaching the defensive line in 2024. Wade had spent the previous two seasons coaching the Blueboy tight ends. In addition to his duties with the defensive line, Wade is in his second campaign overseeing the program's strength and conditioning programming and development. in his first year in that role, he aided in the physical development of a squad that reached the NCAA Division III Playoffs and recorded the program's first Midwest Conference Championship, as well as helping multiple players earn all-conference and All-American honors. Bryan is no stranger to IC football, as he was a two-year starter on the offensive line, splitting time at both right guard and center while serving as a team captain during his senior season.    Originally from Winchester, Illinois, Wade graduated from IC in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management. Bryan currently resides in Jacksonville.    

Christopher Welton is in his first season as a member of the Illinois College football coaching staff. His role with the Blueboys has him working with the (insert position here). Welton joined the IC staff after serving two seasons as the defensive line and linebacker coach at Manchester University in Manchester, Indiana. During his tenure with the Spartans, he mentored the nation’s second-leading tackler in Division III. Along with his on-the-field duties, Welton also managed the team’s academic progress and served as the defensive video coordinator and equipment manager. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Welton was a four-year member of the Manchester football team, playing defensive tackle. Christopher earned his bachelor’s degree from Manchester in 2023. 

Jacob Barnes is in his first season as a member of the Illinois College football staff, serving as the tight ends coach. Barnes spent parts of 2024 working in quality control and player personnel at Saginaw Valley State, where he helped the offensive staff with film breakdown and scouting reports. He also organized and facilitated on-campus recruiting events. In addition to those duties, he helped conduct offseason OTA’s alongside the strength and conditioning staff. Before working at Saginaw Valley State, Barnes was a student intern at St. Edward’s High School in Cleveland and was a youth camp coach for the Cleveland Browns. Barnes was a four-year member of the football team at Oberlin College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology from Oberlin in 2024.  Jacob is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and was a team captain at Centennial High School, where he graduated as the valedictorian in 2021.