Former Arkansas quarterback, interim head coach to Illinois
Barry Lunney Jr.’s legacy with the Arkansas football program cannot be understated.
Lunney was a four-year starter as the Razorbacks quarterback when the school transitioned into the SEC from the Southwest Conference in the early and mid 1990s. He later spent six seasons coaching tight ends and special teams with the Razorbacks, eventually serving as interim head coach in 2019 after Chad Morris’ firing. His father is one of the winningest coaches in Arkansas high school football history.
Lunney left Arkansas when Sam Pittman arrived, joining one of his fellow assistants with the Hogs under Morris, Jeff Traylor, on Traylor’s staff at Texas-San Antonio. Now, he is joining another friend: former Arkansas coach Bret Bielema at Illinois.
Lunney was hired Saturday just a day after Fighting Illini offensive coordinator Tony Peterson was let go. Given the timing of the hire, Bielema knew he wanted his old friend back in the fold.
UTSA had the No. 34 total offense and No. 11 scoring offense in FBS in 2021. The Roadrunners beat Illinois in the first game of the season and eventually reached a No. 24 ranking.
Bielema and Lunney coached together at Arkansas for the entirety of Bielema’s five-season stint with the Razorbacks from 2013 to 2017.
