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University Of Illinois Hires Illinois Native Bret Bielema As Head Coach (Coach Big Pete Reaction)



The University of Illinois has named Prophetstown native Bret Bielema as the 26th Fighting Illini Head Football Coach in the 132-year history of the program. (COACH BIG PETE REACTION VIDEO ON BOTTOM)



“Illinois and the Big Ten is home for me, and I can’t be any more excited about the opportunity in front of me with the Fighting Illini,” Bielema said. “We want to build a program that makes Illini Nation proud and regain the passion that I’ve seen when Illinois wins. We want the young men playing football in the state of Illinois from Freeport to Cairo and from Quincy to Danville dreaming of wearing the Orange and Blue and playing at Memorial Stadium. I look forward to re-connecting with the high school coaches around the state making it clear we intend to keep our players home. - Press Release University Of Illinois


Bret Bielema- NEW HEAD COACH OF ILLINOIS- Career

From The Hayden Fry Coaching Tree

Played At Iowa DL 1989-1992

Played For Milwuakee Mustangs (Arena Football)

  • Iowa (1994–1995) Graduate assistant

  • Iowa (1996–2001) Linebackers coach

  • Kansas State (2002–2003) Co-Defensive coordinator

  • Wisconsin (2004–2005) Defensive coordinator

  • Wisconsin (2006–2012) Head coach

  • Arkansas (2013–2017) Head coach

  • New England Patriots (2018) Consultant to the head coach

  • New England Patriots (2019) Defensive line coach

  • New York Giants (2020) Outside linebackers coach & senior defensive assistant

  • Illinois (2020–present) Head coach



Zachary Barlev Plainfield East OL Class Of 2025 Illinois Recruit Signee Thoughts On The Bielema Hire- "I'm excited to see what he can do for Illinois"


Dan Blackbourn Aquin Catholic OC/OL Coach Thoughts On The Bielema Hire- "I think it’s a good move. Here’s a guy with Illinois roots and a ton of Big Ten ties playing at Iowa and having a lot of success at Wisconsin. I think he’ll do a good job connecting with Illinois kids and coaches! He needs to take the old Barry Alvarez model and try and put a fence around Illinois. We just all need to give him some time and hopefully he can get things turned around. This state has some amazing talents and I hope Coach Bielema and his staff can bring them to Champaign."


Jack Cornell Quincy Notre Dame Head Coach & University Of Illinois Football Alum 2007-2011 Thoughts On The Bielema Hire- "I think it's a great day to be an Illini! He's already talking to high school coaches in the state and making those guys a priority. His resume speaks for itself. I love it."



COACH BIG PETE'S REACTION




MY FAVORITE VIDEO OF BRET BIELEMA






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Remember Deep Dish Football Is Just Not About Recruiting But About The Love Of The Game Of IHSA Football

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