By virtue of his background and training, Illinois' Ron Zook is a defensive football coach.

He played defensive back at Miami (Ohio), was a collegiate defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, Kansas, Virginia Tech and Florida and coached defense for the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.

So when it came time to pick an offensive style as he prepared to become a head coach, he asked himself: What offensive system gives me the most trouble when I'm coaching defense?

The answer was an offense that spreads its personnel and can attack on the ground and through the air.

Likewise, as Zook has contemplated filling vacancies on his coaching staff this offseason, he's taken the same approach. In particular, as he considered hiring a new coach to look after the defensive line, he appears to have asked himself another, similar question: Who is known for rock-solid line play and also is respected as a terrific recruiter, especially in the East? Who do offenses hate going up against?

The answer to that question has led Zook to Penn State defensive line coach and master recruiter Larry Johnson Sr.

Johnson visited the Illinois campus this past weekend and was reportedly told he could expect an offer of about $400,000 a year, plus a title at least equivalent to defensive coordinator. According to the Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News, Johnson makes in the neighborhood of $200,000 with no hopes of being promoted to defensive coordinator.

An official offer can't be made until 5 p.m., today.

For the second year in a row, Zook has identified a special coach with special skills and offered a special compensation package with the hopes that he will be a difference-maker for the Illini football team.

Last year, as Illinois was about to play Southern California in the Rose Bowl, Zook elevated offensive coordinator Mike Locksley to $500,000 a year, making him maybe the highest paid offensive coordinator in the country.

Locksley, who was Illinois' most effective recruiter, took the offer and stayed this season, then accepted the head coaching job at the University of New Mexico.

So Zook has a little of that Locksley money to throw around.

TCU's Mike Schlutz was hired as the new offensive coordinator but it may be Johnson who becomes the most important addition.

Johnson is regarded as Penn State's top recruiter, a former head coach at McDonough High School in Pomfret, Md., and at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va. He is strong in the same Washington, D.C. regional area that Locksley tried to exploit for the Illini.

Johnson has brought some of Penn State's highest profile recruits into the program, including receiver Derrick Williams and current running back Evan Royster.

He also has tutored some of Penn State's many outstanding defensive linemen, including NFL players like Jimmy Kennedy, Michael Haynes and Courtney Brown.

His son, of course, was an All-American running back for Penn State who was a first-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs and an all-pro selection in 2005 and 2006.

The ball would seem to be in Johnson's court. Can he tear himself away from the Penn State players he has recruited and who are no doubt begging him to stay?

Can he turn his back on head coach Joe Paterno, not only leaving the school that has employed him since 1996, but leaving for a Big Ten Conference rival as well?

Can he be comfortable in the Midwest after a lifetime coaching football in the East?

But can he say no to a deal that might double his salary, give him a big title and position him for a future head coaching job?

And it doesn't hurt that hiring Johnson would not only strengthen the Illini, it would weaken a rival within the league.

Quite a coup if Zook can pull it off.