Eric Finney joins the CUC football program as a graduate assistant for the 2016 season. He will coach the defensive backs.
Finney played from 2013 to 2015 at the University of Illinois. The safety played 34 games over his three seasons, culminating in his earning a starting role for much of the 2015 season. Finney's career stats included 70 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. He was honored as an Academic All-Big Ten during his junior and senior years.
Originally from Long Beach, CA, Finney attended Corona Centennial High School where he played as a wide receiver. He switched to defense and played one season (2011) at College of the Canyons in California, recording 19 tackles and one interception in seven games before transferring to Illinois.
While Finney has played at the Division I level, he is happy to coach and experience the game at the Division III level. "This is the essence of football for me, the athletes playing because they truly want to play. The game seems purer at this level, and I am sure it will be a very good learning experience."
Finney earned his BS in human development and family studies from Illinois in 2015.
