MACOMB, Ill. - Former University of Arkansas assistant Monte Henderson (pronounced mon-TEE) has joined the Western Illinois football staff as the defensive backs coach, replacing Kerry Cooks who now holds a similar post at the University of Minnesota.Henderson has spent the last seven years in a variety of capacities with the Razorbacks, working last year with the secondary under 21-year veteran coach Bobby Allen. The 2004 Arkansas defense ranked fourth in the SEC and 21st nationally, holding opponents to 187.0 passing yards per game, and picked off 17 passes, the third-most in the SEC.?Monte was selected from an outstanding field of candidates,? Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson said. ?He has learned from one of college football?s best secondary coaches and I have no doubt that he will accomplish great things here.?Henderson served the last two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant, coordinating the offensive scout team and assisting in the breakdown of opponents? offensive game film. He spent his first year working directly with defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. In those two seasons, the Razorbacks compiled a 14-10 record and a win over Missouri in the 2003 Independence Bowl.Prior to becoming a GA at Arkansas, Henderson worked as an administrative assistant on the Razorback staff from 1998 to 2002, aiding in game planning and preparation, recruiting and game day management. In his seven seasons in Fayetteville, Henderson was part of six bowl teams and two SEC Western Division championship squads (1998, 2002).?I am real excited about the opportunity to work with a program that has as much success and tradition as Western Illinois,? Henderson said. ?Coach Patterson and the staff have done an awesome job. I am looking forward to making a difference in the lives of some of these young men.?A native of Conway, Ark., Henderson received his undergraduate degree from Arkansas in 2001, earning a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology. An all-America in football at Conway High School, Henderson was a cornerback at UA-Pine Bluff prior to transferring to Arkansas. He was born November 18, 1978.?I?m really proud of Monte,? remarked Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt. ?He did a great job here at Arkansas and he will do an excellent job at Western Illinois. He has great character and a strong work ethic. Sometimes the toughest part is getting your foot in the door and now that he has, I think great things are in front of him. I wish him nothing but the best.?Henderson?s duties will begin immediately.