Buy 2016 Season Tickets

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Andrew Hayes-Stoker has been named wide receivers coach at the University of Illinois, Lovie Smith announced. Hayes-Stoker has previously worked under Smith with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Andrew Hayes-Stoker is one of the brightest young coaches in the game," Smith said. "Since joining our staff with the Bears, I've seen him continue to learn the game and develop as a teacher. I know he'll be outstanding in coaching our receivers and as a recruiter."

Hayes-Stoker joins the Fighting Illini staff from the Indianapolis Colts, where he was hired as Assistant to the Head Coach on February 9. He worked as the wide receivers coach for Tampa Bay for the last two seasons (2014-15) and has eight years of coaching experience, including five seasons in the NFL.

Hayes-Stoker was key in the development of Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans, a first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) in 2014. Evans caught 142 passes for 2,257 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons, including a franchise-record 12 touchdown catches during his rookie season. Evans and Vincent Jackson (1,002 receiving yards) became the first Buccaneers teammates to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in the same season in 2014.

Smith elevated Hayes-Stoker to assistant wide receivers coach with the Chicago Bears in 2010, after he was an operations and offensive assistant with the organization for four years. Hayes-Stoker worked on Smith's coaching staff in Chicago for three seasons, including as the offensive assistant/wide receivers coach in 2012, before coaching the running backs at Florida Atlantic in 2013 and rejoining Smith in Tampa Bay from 2014-15.

Hayes-Stoker was a running back at TCU for four seasons (1999-2002). He backed up LaDainian Tomlinson for two seasons.

Hayes-Stoker graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in education. He is a native of Arlington, Texas.

Hayes-Stoker Coaching History