The University of Akron Athletics
Pry Takes Assistant Coaching Position With Illinois
May 31 | Football
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Akron co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Pry has accepted a position as an offensive assistant and tight ends coach with the University of Illinois, Illini head coach Ron Zook announced today.
Pry, who was about to enter his third season with the Zips, has logged nearly 30 years of experience as an assistant or head coach at various levels. At Akron, he has overseen the progression of two of the top quarterbacks in Mid-American Conference history in Charlie Frye and Luke Getsy.
"We're disappointed to see Jim leave, but it's an exciting opportunity for him," UA head coach J.D. Brookhart said. "Jim's an excellent teacher of the game. We lose a wealth of experience and great leadership. We wish him nothing but the best."
In 2005, Pry tutored Getsy as his 3,455 passing yards ranked second on the Akron single-season passing yards list. Running back Brett Biggs earned his second-consecutive second-team All-MAC honor, rushing for 1,230 yards and 10 touchdowns.
WR Domenik Hixon, who was chosen in last month's NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, posted 1,210 receiving yards, making the Zips the 31st team in NCAA Division I-A history to possess a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver.
In his first year on the Zips' staff, Pry served as mentor to
record-setting QB and MAC Player-of-the-Year Frye. His 2,623 yards
through the air in 2004 ranks fourth on the Akron single-season
passing yardage list. The Cleveland Browns' signal-caller finished
his career No. 11 on the NCAA career total offense chart (11,478)
and No. 16 on the NCAA career passing yards list (11,049).
Pry came to Akron following three seasons at Duke, where he served as the quarterbacks coach for two years (2000-01) before being elevated to offensive coordinator prior to the 2002 campaign.
Before his stretch at Duke, Pry spent 11 seasons (1990-00) as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University. A native of Altoona, Pa., Pry and his offense helped lead the Warriors to the 1991 Division II playoffs.
Pry has also spent time as an assistant at Buffalo (1989), VMI (1985-88) and West Liberty State (1981-84).
The 1974 graduate of Marshall served as offensive and defensive coordinator at West Virginia Tech (1975-76) after spending the 1973-74 seasons as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. Pry moved on to become head coach at Lewis County High School from 1977-80.
Brookhart will look to fill the current opening as soon as possible.
