Ex-Virginia Beach coach takes 'step up' to Big Ten, Illinois

Former Landstown and Salem high school coach Chris Beatty will leave Vanderbilt to become co-offensive coordinator at Illinois.

Beatty, 38, had just completed his first season as the Commodores' receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator. But the Illinois job puts him closer to his ultimate goal: becoming a Division I head coach.

"I was in a really good situation there," he said. "And coach made a counter offer that made it tough to leave. But you sit back and these opportunities don't happen very often."

Beatty liked his job and didn't want to leave former Ocean Lakes quarterback Lafonte Thourogood, whom Beatty recruited.

"Lafonte was doing a great job down there and is going to be a heck of a player there, but it's hard to turn down a coordinator's position in the Big Ten," said Beatty, who accepted the position Monday, two days after the Commodores' 31-24 loss to Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl.

"To have an opportunity to do this was something I couldn't pass up. It's a step up as far as responsibility and having a little bit more say in the offense. All those are things you hope to progress to at some point. And my opportunity has come sooner than later."

Beatty said he first met new Illini coach Tim Beckman at a Christopher Newport University coaches clinic. Beatty was in his first season at Landstown and Beckman was a Bowling Green assistant.

"There were only like six coaches there," Beatty said. "But we kept in touch over the years. So I guess you never know who you're going to meet."

Beatty, who led Landstown to three consecutive Group AAA state finals from 2003-05 and the '04 championship with future NFL player Percy Harvin, was an assistant coach at Hampton University, Northern Illinois and West Virginia before going to Vanderbilt.

One of Beatty's goals is to continue to recruit South Hampton Roads.

"I'm always going to come home to try and get some guys," said Beatty, who noted former Atlantic Shores receiver Anthony William is on Illinois' roster.

Beatty, married with a young son, hopes this is his final move for awhile.

"Moving is hard," he said. "I didn't want to leave, but these opportunities don't come every day. There aren't too many steps above this one."

Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273,larry.rubama@pilotonline.com