LAS VEGAS (WCIA) – ‘Continuity’ is a word heard regularly around the Illini football program entering the 2025 season.

Illinois returns 16 of 22 starters from its 2024 team which won 10 games. Plus, Illinois brings back both its offensive, defensive and special teams coordinators.

In 2025, a quarterback and offensive coordinator working together for three consecutive years in less common than it was in previous eras.

Luke Altmyer, receiving Big Ten preseason honors after showing massive improvement in 2024, is grateful for the opportunity to continue working with play-caller Barry Lunney Jr.

“He has a great scheme,” Altmyer said. “He knows what he’s doing, he’s able to get creative and think outside the box. I think our relationship, our communication, is at a really high level. I’m able to understand what he’s thinking… He’s able to tap into my thinking… We just understand each other at a high level.”

The rising senior QB says it’s no coincidence.

“We work tirelessly together,” he said.

Altmyer says he’s become more willing, over time, to be vulnerable and transparent with Lunney about what he likes/doesn’t like.

“A lot of understanding of what we are comfortable with [and] uncomfortable with,” Altmyer said.

After scoring 28.3 points per game on average in 2024, while tallying 364.8 yards of offense per game, Lunney Jr. sparked the interest of some other programs.

“There was interest, rightfully so,” Altmyer said.

After working closely with the Illini OC for two seasons, and finding quite the groove in the second, the Illini QB believes Lunney has what it takes to lead his own locker room as a head coach.

“He’s a great speaker, great leader,” Altmyer said. “He could certainly do that, and he knows that… I think he would love to be a head coach one day and do it at the highest level and lead a winning program – He can do it.”

From Luke’s perspective, Lunney has been a sponge in learning from Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and others.

“He’s ready for it, I’ll tell you that,” Altmyer said of Lunney. “He just – He loves where he’s at, I think, and he knows where we can go as a team. He’s going to get there – not if – it’s just when.”

While Altmyer has belief in Lunney, and certainly will root for his success if he does wind up leading his own team, he’s awfully glad to have the offensive mastermind staying in Champaign for 2025.

“For him to be able to be with me for my last rodeo, that just means to world to me – It really does,” Altmyer said.

Bret Bielema also spoke with reporters on Tuesday, click here for more from the Illini head coach.