In an attempt to bring "The Movement" to Champaign, Illinois announced on Friday that it has hired St. Louis Trinity Catholic coach Cory Patterson as an assistant coach. Patterson will coach tight ends with Bob Ligashesky nowbecoming solely the special teams coordinator.

In four years, Patterson quickly built Trinity Catholic into a St. Louis prep powerhouse, a process he has labeled "The Movement." Illinois now hopes Patterson will bring some of that top St. Louis talent to Champaign.

Illinois has offers out to 10 Trinity Catholic players. Six in the 2019 class: quarterback Isaiah Williams, receiver Marcus Washington, offensive lineman Ira Henry, receiver Bryce Childress, linebacker Shammond Cooper and running back Alphonzo Andrews. Four in the 2020 class: offensive lineman Jalen St. John, athlete James Frenchie and running backs Teriyon Cooper and Reggie Love.

In November, Patterson spoke with Illini Inquirer about a possible opportunity to join the Illinois staff.

“If I ever take a college job, I just want to be around a group that will help me grow as a coach and a person," Patterson said. "That’s what I want in an opportunity because what I’m going to bring is I’m going to bring a hustler. I’m going to work hard. Nobody’s going to have to tell me to stay late. Nobody’s going to tell me, ‘We need to do this to get a kid.’ I just want to go work. If you just let me go work, I’m going to go work. Tell me what you need me to do, and I’m going to go work.”

Patterson inherited a 3-7 program and went 3-6 in his first year as head coach in 2014. But he attracted some of the state's top young talent, including Illinois rising sophomore OL Larry Boyd, to Trinity and went 6-3 during the 2015 season. Trinity finished as Class 2 runner-up in 2016. The Titans went 9-1 this season, falling to Lutheran North in the Class 2 District 2 championship game.

Williams, Cooper and Washington all have offers from premier programs. Illinois hopes the addition of Patterson, a coach they chose to play for, solidifies their path to Champaign.

“I think it will pay off," Patterson said. "I think with them, first off, they were down here probably more than anyone else. They were definitely on it. Before everyone else caught the wave of Trinity Catholic, they were down here wanting to see the kids. They took an interest in Larry, so when they got here, they saw there was more and more players. They took an interest in those freshmen (at the time) and said, ‘Let’s see all of them. Right now, let’s start seeing what’s going on there.’ They took a really special interest in those games probably before anyone else did. I think my guys they know that. Illinois, they’re still around. Whenever they can be, they’re here. They haven’t stopped the focus on those dudes. My guys, it’s like family when they come here. You might see a basketball come out or something. It’s just like family when they come around.”

Trieu's take

By Allen Trieu, 247Sports Midwest recruiting expert

I think this is a really good hire for Illinois. Everybody will talk about recruiting first and what this means in St. Louis but I think Coach Patterson really knows the game of football and how good of a coach he is should not get lost in the recruiting benefits of having him on staff.

He is a bright young guy who has taken a Trinity program from basically zero to where it is now in a short amount of time and he has done that with hard work and with care for the kids. That will not stop now that he is in the college ranks.

I know the question a lot of Illinois fans will have now is, will this immediately pay dividends as far as them getting the Trinity guys. I think those kids are still going to have to do what is best for them but having Coach Patterson on staff will certainly help and I think Illinois was in good standing with a lot of those kids anyway.