Jake Anthony is in his third season with the Illinois football program as the Director of Football Performance Nutrition in 2026. He oversees all of the nutrition needs for the Fighting Illini football program, providing fueling, performance nutrition education, and counseling services to student-athletes.

During his two seasons in Champaign, Anthony 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 Anthony 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. 

Anthony began his coaching journey at the University of Kansas in 2017, where he spent two seasons as an intern strength and conditioning coach with the football program. Following his time at Kansas, Anthony gained extensive coaching and nutrition experience with the Philadelphia Eagles, Wichita State Athletics, and Green Bay Packers. 

Anthony graduated from the University of Kansas in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science. He earned a master’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, and sensory sciences from Kansas State University in 2023. 

Anthony resides in Champaign, Illinois, with his wife Kayla, their son Camden, and two golden retrievers. He is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).