Millikin football hopes to keep building in year two under Riebock

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) - Millikin football took a step in the right direction during its first year with Billy Riebock as head coach. Riebock, a Decatur native and St. Teresa High School graduate, helped the Big Blue to three wins in 2025, after the program went winless in both 2023 and 2024. Now, he hopes his team can continue to grow in 2026. We got to come together," he said. "It's less about the X's and O's, and just about constant development, execution on and off the field and playing for each other. So far, I like where we're trending." He feels a sense of responsibility to deliver on his promise to Millikin fan to bring winning football. "It's our job during our time here to make this place special and make our alums as proud as possible of this," he said. "There's been a whirlwind of change. First team meeting we had 47 people, and we're up 178. We feel really good about our talent level and how we continue to increase that doubled our coaching size very blessed. And now it's our responsibility to take those blessings and those resources and put them to good use." Millikin opens its 2026 season on the road at The University of Olivet, in Michigan, on Thursday, Sept. 3. The Big Blue will face a tough test in its conference opener, visiting No. 5 ranked Wheaton College on Saturday, Sept. 19. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.