<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4D28Nc_0vkWUwvq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4D28Nc_0vkWUwvq00" width="1200" height="768" ><figcaption>Chambana Today CanvaPro Illinois' Defensive Coordinator Aaron Henry nominated for a prestigious award.</figcaption></figure>CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois’ defensive coordinator Aaron Henry is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. The Courage Award is given to someone who displays courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. Henry coached the Fighting Illini to an upset win at No. 22 Nebraska on Friday shortly after the passing of his sister.Henry’s sister, 39-year-old Ashley Lee, died unexpectedly earlier this month. Henry coached Illinois in the following week’s win against Central Michigan, and again six days later at Nebraska, before her visitation and funeral that weekend in Florida.Henry posted his mixed emotions on X. “As excited as I was that we got the win in a complete team effort, part of me didn’t want to have to face the reality of heading home during the season to lay my sister to rest. Thank you to everyone who reached out to myself or my family. Your thoughts and prayers were much appreciated.” Henry played for Illini head coach Bret Bielema at the University of Wisconsin, where he became an All-Big Ten safety with the Badgers in 2011. He was teaching and coaching prep football in Kalamazoo, Michigan, when Bielema had asked him to help with a camp in Arkansas, where Bielema coached from 2013-17. Henry eventually became a graduate assistant on the Razorbacks’ staff.He went on to coach defensive backs at Rutgers, NC State and Vanderbilt before Bielema brought him to the Illini squad in 2021. Henry became defensive coordinator in 2023. The Illini are currently 4-0 and rank No. 15 nationally in scoring defense (12.5). </div></body>

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Illinois’ defensive coordinator Aaron Henry nominated for prestigious award

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois’ defensive coordinator Aaron Henry is this week’s nominee for the 2024 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. The Courage Award is given to someone who displays courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. Henry coached the Fighting Illini to an upset win at No. 22 Nebraska on Friday shortly after the passing of his sister.