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Thursday, Feb. 20
The Indiana Daily Student

sports football

Antwaan Randle El joins Chicago Bears coaching staff

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Former Indiana football quarterback Antwaan Randle El set records as a Hoosier but only found an opportunity in the NFL as a wide receiver. Now, that transition has helped land him a new NFL job as an assistant head coach and wide receiver coach for the Chicago Bears.  

Randle El spent the last four seasons as a wide receivers coach with the Detroit Lions. In Chicago, he will reunite with newly hired head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson and Randle El coached together in Detroit when Johnson served as the team’s offensive coordinator. 

During his freshman campaign at IU in 1998, Randle El threw for 1,745 yards and six touchdowns, establishing himself as a dual threat quarterback rushing for 873 yards and 10 touchdowns. Despite the Hoosiers finishing with a disappointing 4-7 record, his dynamic play earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.  

Randle El showcased dramatic improvements as a passer throughout his four-year career at IU, becoming the first player in NCAA history to throw for 40 touchdowns and catch or run for 40 touchdowns in a career. After an impressive season in 2001, the Riverdale, Illinois, native received the Big Ten Player of the Year award. Randle El remains Indiana’s all-time leader in total offense, gaining 11,364 yards across his four seasons.  

The former Hoosiers’ record-setting play earned him induction into the Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012. The Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year award, given to the best freshman in the Big Ten, is named in his honor.  

After his time at IU, Randle El was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who transitioned him into a wide receiver. He went on to have a 10-year career in the NFL, which included winning a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2005.

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