Bret Arnold Bielema (/ ˈbiːləmɑː /; 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.

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.

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.

Oct 30, 2024 · Although Bielema, whose Illinois record sits at 24-20 entering Illinois' ninth game against Minnesota Saturday (noon ET, FS1), has yet to comment on Dodd's outlook, he took a minute...

Jan 1, 2025 · Illinois football coach Bret Bielema met with the media following his team's 21-17 victory against South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.

Dec 20, 2022 · Illinois coach Bret Bielema, who this season guided the team to its highest wins total since 2007, has agreed to a new contract through the 2028 season.

Three takeaways from Bret Bielema's offseason update: On staff retention, recruiting and handling expectations Illinois coach Bret Bielema met with local reporters on Sunday to give an offseason ...

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...

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...

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 ...