Seniors Tony Pashos and David Diehl each earned All-Big Ten accolades, and were fifth-round picks in the 2003 NFL draft.
Both Jay Kulaga and Pashos were named to the Big Ten's first team by the coaches and media, while senior center Luke Butkus was a second-team selection.
Every senior starting offensive lineman in Hiestand's first seven years with the Illini was signed to an NFL contract: Ryan Schau (1995–98), J. P. Machado (1995–98), Marques Sullivan (1997–2000), Ray Redziniak (1997–2000), Luke Butkus (1998–2001), Dave Diehl (1999–2002), and Tony Pashos (1999–2002).
The Bears were one of six teams to have the same five offensive linemen start all 16 games in 2008 (C Olin Kreutz, LG Josh Beekman, RG Roberto Garza, LT John St. Clair, and RT John Tait), marking the first time since 2001 that the Bears had the same five players start all 16 contests on their offensive line.
The offensive line would become the most experienced unit on the Bears roster over the next couple of years, led by 11-year veteran and six-time Pro Bowl C Kreutz, who entered the 2009 season having started a team-high 102 consecutive games.
Since reaching the BCS National Championship Game during his first season at Notre Dame, Hiestand developed ten current and former NFL offensive linemen, including: In January 2018, Hiestand returned to the Bears after being hired by new head coach Matt Nagy as the offensive line coach.
Center Cody Whitehair and left tackle Charles Leno were named to their first Pro Bowl, the first Bears offensive linemen teammates to make the all-star game since 2006.
[4] He returned to Notre Dame as offensive line coach for the 2022 season, and announced his retirement in February 2023.