Illig took over the women’s squash program from current women’s tennis coach Mike Morgan, while he will become the first varsity coach of men’s squash at Middlebury. Current men’s tennis coach Dave Schwarz served as the men’s coach for five years during its club status.

Illig is a 16-year veteran when it comes to coaching collegiate squash. Prior to his 11 years as Bates, he worked as the head coach at Colby for the previous five seasons. He coached men’s and women’s squash and tennis at Colby, while coaching women’s tennis at Bates for five seasons. He has amassed 408 career intercollegiate racquet wins, sporting a 335-244 record in squash.

In his time at Bates, Illig helped both squads move into the top nine in the national rankings. He also coached three players to six All-American awards. In ’06-’07, his men’s team at Bates went 20-9, while the women sported a 19-8 mark. Both squads finished first in Maine and third in the NESCAC.

Illig was named the U.S. Olympic Developmental Squash Coach of the Year in 2000, coached two Ann Wetzel Award Winners and won the Clarence Chaffee Award, given to the coach whose team best displays qualities of competitiveness and court demeanor. He also served as the President of the Women’s College Squash Association from 2000-2002.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Illig is a 1986 graduate of the University of Rochester, earning his degree in English literature. Illig is an avid outdoorsman, hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Long Trail.