BTN.com staff, June 27, 2012

Mike Bellamy is coming back to Illinois. The former Illini All-American has been hired as Illinois' assistant director of player personnel and relations, Tim Beckman announced Wednesday afternoon.

A second-team All-American as a kick returner and a first-team All-Big Ten receiver in 1989, Bellamy will coordinate all former player events, assist with on-campus recruiting and recruiting mailings, help coordinate the annual Illinois high school coaching clinic and coordinate all functions with Block I, fraternities and sororities.

[FightingIllini.com: Former receiver Bellamy joins Illini staff]

"I am very excited to have another Illini great join our football family in Mike Bellamy,? Beckman said in a release. ?Mike had great success both as a player at the University of Illinois and professionally after his playing days ended. He is a very important addition to our staff because his main function will be to connect our current team with our former players"

Bellamy recorded 59 receptions for 927 yards and eight touchdowns in 1989, the fourth-most touchdown catches in a season in school history, and the ninth-most receiving yards in a season. He also returned 16 kickoffs for 459 yards in 1989, an average of 28.7 yards per return that ranks second inschool history.