Another familiar face to the Illinois State football coaching staff, former Redbird offensive lineman and student assistant coach C.J. Irvin took over as tight ends coach in 2019 and begins his seventh year in that role in 2025, along with serving as the assistant offensive line coach and professional liason l for the program.
The Redbird offense had a breakout season in 2024, ranking fourth in the MVFC in passing offense with 238 yards per contest and was fifth in total offense with 402 yards per game.
Under Irvin's direction, current Cincinnati Bengals tight end Cam Grandy emerged as a top target in the passing game, earning consensus First-Team All-American honors following the 2023 season. Grandy led the Redbirds' TE group in catches (63), yards (612), and TDs (3) on his way to the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl prior to signing with Cincinnati as a free agent in 2023 and earning first-team All-MVFC laurels.
In 2022, Irvin helped guide a pair of Redbird tight ends to postseason accolades as Tanner Taula and Bryson Deming both received Honorable Mention All-MVFC laurels. Taula would go on to play in the CSG All-Star Game before signing as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
During the 2021 fall season, Irvin's TE group combined for 33 catches for 328 yards and four touchdowns. Bryson Deming and Tanner Taula combined for 26 catches, 273 yards, and two touchdowns for the Redbirds. During the 2021 spring season, Taula lead the way for Redbird tight ends with 13 catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Redbird fullbacks Tim McCloyn and Tyler Pennington each collected a rushing touchdown as McCloyn would receive Second Team All-MVFC honors for the spring.
The Redbird tight ends were a big part of the success of the ISU running attack led by All-American James Robinson in 2019. Starters Robert Gillum and Tanner Taula combined for 12 receptions on the season and were integral in blocking schemes for the Redbirds. In his role as special teams coordinator, Irvin watched as Sam Fenlason kicked his way to MVFC Honorable Mention honors after a bounce back year in 2019.
Irvin returned to Illinois State after spending the 2018 season with the Wisconsin football program. Irvin served in a quality control role with the Badgers' offensive line, helping lead the Badgers to an appearance in the 2018 Pinstripe Bowl against Miami (FL).
Irvin came to UW after spending the 2017 season as a graduate assistant at Texas, where he worked with the Longhorns' offensive line, including for the Longhorns' matchup with Missouri in the Texas Bowl. He held a similar position at Houston for the 2016 season and also served as interim offensive line coach for the Cougars' matchup with San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
His coaching career began as a student assistant at Illinois State, a role he filled for two seasons after suffering foot injuries that ended his playing career for the Redbirds. He helped Illinois State reach the FCS National Championship game in 2014 and the FCS quarterfinals in 2015.
Irvin, who received the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Commissioners Academic Excellence Award, graduated from Illinois State in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology/physical education.
He resides in Bloomington with his wife, Caitlin, along with their daughter Carsyn, and son, Cooper.
