University of Illinois graduate Natalie Woch returned to Illinois as the football program’s Director of Recruiting Operations in 2025. She is in her second season on staff in 2026.

During his first season on staff in 2025, Simpkins helped the Illini to nine wins, a victory over #23 Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, and a final ranking of #25 in the Coaches Poll. She also helped Illinois sign the #21 recruiting class in the nation in December 2025, the highest-ranked class in Illinois history.

Woch was a student recruiting assistant for the Fighting Illini football program for three seasons. She served as a team lead, assisting in management of over 25 student recruiting assistants during recruiting events and supporting the director of recruiting with the preparation for official and unofficial visits.

Woch rejoined the Illini in 2025 from Oklahoma, where she served as the Sooners’ On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator in 2024. 

At Oklahoma, Woch planned and executed official and unofficial visits, game day recruiting programming, junior days, and other special events, helping Oklahoma post the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation according to 247Sports. Woch also assisted with operations of signees’ initial eligibility with the NCAA Eligibility Center. 

Woch earned her bachelor’s degree in sports management with a minor in public relations from the University of Illinois in 2024.