The Pry File 2006- University of Illinois (inside receivers) 2004-05 University of Akron (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks) 2002-03 Duke University (offensive coordinator) 2001 Duke University (quarterbacks) 1990-2000 East Stroudsburg (PA) (offensive coordinator/offensive line) 1989 University of Buffalo (offensive coordinator) 1985-88 Virginia Military Institute (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) 1982-84 West Liberty State (assistant head coach/defensive coordinator) 1981 West Liberty State (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/receivers) 1977-80 Lewis County High School (head coach) 1975-76 West Virginia Tech (offensive and defensive coordinator) 1973-74 Marshall University (graduate assistant) Home Town: Altoona, Pa. Birthdate February 13, 1951 Family: Wife, Kathy; Sons, Brent, Nathan, Jon Education: B.A., Physical Education -- Marshall, 1974; M.S., Physical Education -- Marshall, 1975 Playing Experience: Marshall University, 1971-74 Bowl Games: Rose Bowl, 2008; Motor City Bowl, 1995 "Coach Pry is very knowledgeable about offense, and he's a great motivator, too. He always had something up his sleeve on game day to get the guys excited and ready to play. He brings a lot of energy. He's a guy who will get you ready to play. You don't want to let him down because you see how much time he puts in. You just want to win for him." - Seattle Seahawks quarterback Charlie Frye

THE PRY FAMILY (pictured above left to right): Kathy and Jim

Jim Pry completed his third season on the Illinois staff serving as inside receiviers coach. Pry has 35 years of collegiate coaching experience, including over 18 seasons as an offensive coordinator.

Last season, inside receiver Arrelious Benn accounted for one-third of the team's total receiving yardage, becoming the first Illini to post 1,000 yards since 2002. Benn led the Big Ten in receiving yardage and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. In addition to Benn, tight end Michael Hoomanawanui was third on the team with 25 catches and 312 yards.

In 2007, Pry coached true-freshman Benn to Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. In his first year in college, Benn was the team's leading receiver with 54 catches for 676 yards. Both marks were good enough to break the school's freshman receiving records, as well as earn him Freshman All-America accolades.

In his two seasons at Akron, Pry tutored many successful offensive skill players. In 2005, Pry led junior quarterback Luke Getsy to 3,000 passing yards, which ranked third on the Akron single-season passing yards list. Running back Brett Biggs earned his second consecutive second-team All- MAC honor, rushing for 1,230 yards and 10 touchdowns. WR Domenik Hixon posted 1,210 receiving yards, making the Zips the 31st team in NCAA Division I-A history to possess a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver.

In his first year on the Zips' staff in 2004, Pry served as mentor to record-setting QB and MAC Player of the Year Charlie Frye, who was the Cleveland Brown's starting quarterback in 2006. Frye's 2,623 yards through the air in 2004 ranked fourth on the Akron single-season passing yardage list. The Heisman Trophy candidate finished his career No. 11 on the NCAA career total offense chart (11,478) and No. 16 on the NCAA career passing yards list (11,049).

Pry went to Akron after three seasons at Duke, where he served as the quarterbacks coach for two years (2000-01) before being elevated to offensive coordinator prior to the 2002 campaign. In 2003, running back Chris Douglas was named first team All-ACC and became just the fourth player in Duke football history to rush for 1,000+ yards in a season.

Before his stretch at Duke, Pry spent 11 seasons (1990-00) as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University. A native of Altoona, Pa., Pry and his offense helped lead the Warriors to the 1991 Division II playoffs. His offense also ranked No. 1 nationally in total offense (509 yards per game) and passing offense (404 ypg) in 1996, and broke or reset 54 school, conference and NCAA records. Under his guidance, the Warriors averaged 25 or more points per game in all but one of his 11 seasons.

Pry spent the 1989 season as the offensive coordinator at the University at Buffalo after four seasons (1985-88) as the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks and receivers coach at VMI. In 1985 his offense set 13 school and one NCAA record.

During the 1981 season he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks/receivers coach at West Liberty State before moving to assistant head coach/defensive coordinator for the 1982-84 seasons. Pry also served as offensive and defensive coordinator at West Virginia Tech (1975-76) after spending the 1973-74 seasons as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Marshall. Pry moved on to become head coach at Lewis County High School from 1977-80.

Pry is a 1974 graduate of Marshall with a degree in physical education, and went on to earn a master's degree in physical education from the school in 1975.

He and his wife, Kathy, have three adult sons, Brent (assistant coach at Memphis), Nathan and Jon.

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