CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Illinois defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach Gill Byrd said Friday he is leaving the program because of an unspecified illness in his family.

Byrd, who worked with head coach Lovie Smith for three NFL teams, coached at Illinois for two seasons.

“Gill Byrd is like a brother to me,” Smith said. “As good a coach as he is on the field, Gill is even a better person. I hope for nothing but the best for Gill and his family. We will miss him greatly around our program.”