News you can't leave work without: Wrestling coach Jim Heffernan completes coaching staff; Peota, Hunter staying in C-U

CHAMPAIGN – He is hitting the ground driving. In that blue Dodge minivan he likes so much.

For 17 years, Jim Heffernan was the No. 2 guy in Mark Johnson's program. Promoted last week to replace Johnson, Heffernan isn't about to fall behind. His first week on the job included moving into his new office, calling recruits and meeting with the returning wrestlers.

Each week, HQ know-it-all Tony Bleill takes our questions

News you can't leave work without:

After getting a chance to run his own program, Jim Heffernan isn't about to take a break.

Getting to know new Illinois wrestling coach Jim Heffernan:

After 17 years on Mark Johnson's Illinois staff, the 45-year-old former Iowa star takes over the wrestling program. Here's Hef:

Wrestling assistant taking over for Johnson

News you can't leave work without:

Jim Heffernan made a good first impression as Illinois wrestling coach.

– Decatur's Lewis Jackson should have been warned that the outskirts of Monticello is no place to speed. Town scuttlebutt has it that a favorite watering hole, once owned by Dick Butkus' linebacker coach Lou Baker at Illinois, went out of business when town gendarmes took notice that patrons were leaving there in cars when they had no business driving.