NFL veteran Byron Bell is in his third season as the assistant offensive line coach in 2026. Bell joined the Fighting Illini in 2024 from New Mexico, where he served as a graduate assistant for two seasons. 

During his two seasons in Champaign, Bell has helped the Illini to its winningest two-year run in program history from 2024-25, including 19 wins, 11 Big Ten wins, six ranked wins, and two victories over SEC opponents in the 2024 Citrus Bowl vs. #14 South Carolina and 2025 Music City Bowl vs. #23 Tennessee. With Bell on staff, Illinois has the fourth-most Power-4 wins (15) over the last two seasons among Big Ten teams, behind only Ohio State (21), Oregon (20), and Indiana (19). The Illini are one of 15 Power-4 programs to win 9+ games in each of the last two seasons. 

Bell helped Illinois average 29.4 points per game in 2025, the program's fifth-best offense in history. The offensive line was highlighted by All-Big Ten First Team selection J.C. Davis and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honoree Josh Gesky, helping the Illini to a final ranking of #25 in the Coaches Poll. 

Bell helped the Fighting Illini produce one of the program’s best offensive seasons in 2024, resulting in a 10-3 record, tying the program's single-season wins record, and a final ranking of #16 in the AP Top 25. Davis earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors at left tackle for the Illini, while Melvin Priestly was tabbed as Big Ten Honorable Mention honoree at right tackle. Center Josh Kreutz and left guard Gesky each earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors, while Brandon Henderson took over at right guard midway through the season and bolstered the unit. Illinois capped the year with a victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in one of the biggest bowl wins in program history, as the offensive line powered running back Josh McCray to 114 rushing yards and two touchdowns on his way to Citrus Bowl MVP honors.

Bell worked with New Mexico's offensive line in 2022 and 2023, handling practice planning, film breakdown, and on-the-field coaching. He also helped with statistical analysis and film preparation.

Bell was a standout player at New Mexico before enjoying an eight-year NFL career. He was a three-year letterman at New Mexico with 36 starts in 37 games played.

Bell earned New Mexico's Outstanding Lineman Award in 2010 before playing for Carolina, Tennessee, Dallas, and Green Bay during his NFL career. He played in 102 NFL games with 83 starts across eight seasons from 2011-18. 

After leaving New Mexico in 2010 following his junior season, Bell returned to New Mexico to finish his degree after his NFL career ended. He earned his degree in liberal arts in 2021, then became a graduate assistant for New Mexico. He earned his master's from New Mexico in physical education and curriculum instruction in 2023.

Bell is a native of Greenville, Texas.