CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Illinois offensive line coach A.J. Ricker has left to take the same position at Missouri, his alma mater.
Illini head coach Tim Beckman told the News-Gazette in Champaign that Ricker left Wednesday.
Ricker came to Illinois after spending the 2011 and 2012 seasons at Western Michigan. Illinois offensive coordinator Bill Cubit was Western Michigan's head coach at the time. Cubit helped bring Ricker to Illinois last season.
Ricker played at Missouri from 2000 through 2003.
Ricker was the third Illinois offensive line coach in Beckman's two seasons in Champaign.
Beckman said he'd never had a staff member leave so close to the start of the season.