Is this a solid hire? How many teams have lived in fear of the Illini defense these last few years?

"Phair" or not, it seems the new Illini DC is getting credit for their improvement last season:

Phair came to Illinois before this season from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was the assistant defensive line coach last year. Under Phair, the Illini’s defense made great strides this season, improving from 456.4 yards allowed per game (last in the Big Ten) in 2014 to 350.8 this season. Illinois also gave up 11.3 fewer points per game this year.