When Bret Bielema became the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini and returned to coaching college football for the first time since 2017 last year, there weren’t many people who expected him to immediately turn the program around the way he did. In just Bielema’s second year, the Illini won seven of their first eight games and were Big Ten West contenders late into November. As a result, it looks like Bielema will be sticking around.
Illinois announced on Tuesday afternoon that Brett Bielema had signed a new six-year contract with the Fighting Illini after his strong second season with the team.
Championship-level coaches stay in Champaign. @BretBielema inks a new six-year contract with the Fighting Illini. #Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/zjP1Xt1xGO
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) December 20, 2022
It was massive news for Illinois after a stellar season and the college football world certainly had plenty to say about the Brett Bielema extension.
#Illini head coach Bret Bielema has signed a new 6-year contract through at least the end of the 2028 season.
Bielema is 13-11 in his Illinois career, the best two-year start for an Illinois head coach since John Mackovic in the 1988-89 seasons. https://t.co/ghYAin09d5
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) December 20, 2022
“Bielema is 13-11 in his Illinois career, the best two-year start for an Illinois head coach since John Mackovic in the 1988-89 seasons,” Illinois writer Matthew Stevens points out.
After leading the Illini their first winning season since 2011, Bret Bielema inks a new six-year deal to stick around at the helm of the program https://t.co/GksUT7orUe
— Jake Bedell (@JakeBedellTV) December 20, 2022
“After leading the Illini their first winning season since 2011, Bret Bielema inks a new six-year deal to stick around at the helm of the program,” sports reporter Jake Bedell said on Twitter.
WOW! Congratulations, coach! https://t.co/eCHuYF9JdF
— Illini Fan Nation (@TheIlliniFN) December 20, 2022
“WOW! Congratulations, coach!” Illinois Fan Nation said in a Tweet.
This move should provide stability to Illinois for the foreseeable future.
