Bret Arnold Bielema (/ ˈ b iː l ə m ɑː /; born January 13, 1970) is an American football coach. He is the head football coach at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a position he has held since the 2021 season.

1 day ago · The Illinois Fighting Illini program's five-win increase from 2023 through last season was one of college football's best turnaround stories, as they won 10 games and clinched their first bowl win ...

Bielema, who signed a six-year agreement in 2022 that will keep him at Illinois through 2028, has elevated Illinois to new heights during his first four seasons with 28 wins, 18 Big Ten victories, and a victory in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to give Illinois its fifth 10-win season in program history.

3 days ago · Illinois coach Bret Bielema is feeling great. The Illini are coming off their first 10-win season since 2001. A junior day over the weekend had more than a dozen of the top local prospects on campus.

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema on Sunday met with local media for the first time since the Citrus Bowl to update the Illini's offseason, which has included 11 transfer additions and a big ...

Jan 26, 2025 · Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema celebrates a 50-49 win over the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium.

Jan 1, 2025 · Illinois football coach Bret Bielema met with the media following the Fighting Illini's 21-17 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl. Here is the full transcript of what the Illinois coach had to say in the news conference, starting with his opening statement:

Dec 30, 2024 · Bret Bielema told local media how critical a victory against South Carolina would be in propelling Illinois to further heights. Illinois is seeking its first 10-win season since 2001, the first...

Oct 25, 2024 · Bret Bielema is the first Illinois coach since the late 1980s with a winning record. We shouldn't be surprised what he's doing in the Big Ten after what he accomplished at Wisconsin.

Sep 18, 2024 · Illinois coach Bret Bielema has not had an ordinary journey in his head coaching career. He got his first opportunity to lead a college football program when he was promoted from defensive...