Illini coaches in transition

Illinois jumped from No. 10 in total defense in Big Ten Conference football stats in 2005 to No. 5 last season. With nine starters back on defense, the Illini want to go from respectable to dominant.

But as Illinois began Camp Rantoul on Monday, with the season opener against Missouri on Sept. 1 inching closer, Illinois coach Ron Zook and his defensive coaching staff remained in transition. Yet the coaches weren't concerned about the sudden departure last month of defensive coordinator Vince Okruch, who left for what the university called a leave of absence.