Jake Anthony is in his second season with the Illinois football program as the Director of Football Performance Nutrition in 2025. He oversees all of the nutrition needs for the Fighting Illini football program, providing fueling, performance nutrition education, and counseling services to student-athletes.

In his first season on staff, Anthony helped Illinois tie the program's single-season wins record with 10 in 2024. The Illini were ranked by the CFP selection committee for a program-record four straight weeks, appeared in 12 AP Top 25 polls, and tied the program record for ranked wins with four. Illinois capped one of the best seasons in program history by beating #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, 21-17, in one of the top bowl game victories in Illinois history.

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).