Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson named assistant coach Ron Lambert the defensive coordinator and promoted offensive line coach Vance Vice to assistant head coach, Friday, while Jon Shields returns to defense as the outside linebackers and safeties coach.
Lambert enters his third season with the Redbirds. He spent his first two seasons coaching the defensive backs and will continue to coach the cornerbacks along with his defensive coordinator duties.
Ron has been a member of our staff and is well versed on what we want to do on the defensive side of the ball, Johnson said. In addition to our system, Ron also has experience with other schemes that we would like to incorporate.
Vice came with Johnson to Illinois State from Murray State. Joining the Racers in 1999, Vice has worked the last four seasons under Johnson.
Vance is a highly intelligent and a valuable assistant football coach, Johnson said. He has been with me for a while and I have a lot of confidence in him. He has a great understanding of what we want to accomplish at Illinois State in building this program.
The coaching versatility of Shields has given Johnson options while filling voids in his staff. Johnson claimed that option again this season while moving Shields back to defense. Shields, who coached the wide receivers last season, will now guide the outside linebackers, which he coached his first two years, and the safeties.
Illinois State will begin fall camp in two weeks and opens the season on August 28 against Drake at Hancock Stadium.
