Latest news with #Bielema
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Bret Bielema turns Illinois into leading NFL talent producer; earns contract extension
Bret Bielema turns Illinois into leading NFL talent producer; earns contract extension Bret Bielema has completely turned the Illinois Fighting Illini football program around, and he's been rewarded for his efforts with a new lucrative contract extension. On Tuesday night, the University of Illinois announced a new six-year contract for Bielema, which extends him through the 2030 season. He will now be paid an annual salary of $7.7 million, plus potential incentive add-ons over the life of his new deal. Bielema led the Illini to just their fifth 10 win season in school history in 2024, which concluded with a Citrus Bowl win over then #14 South Carolina. Illinois returns 18/22 starters from that team, and thus they now find themselves often in the top 15, sometimes in the top 10 of various publications' "way too early" preseason polls. And the Illini have quietly become a NFL talent factory as well. According to a press release from the school, "Illinois was one of five schools with three or more players drafted in the first three rounds in both the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts, along with Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Penn State." That is extremely elite company right there. But the Illinois Sports Information Department included another impressive stat, about the 12 NFL Draft picks that have come out of Illinois since the Prophetstown, Illinois native took the job in 2021. The release states that "eight have been selected within the top-100 picks, the fourth-highest mark in the Big Ten behind only Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State among teams that have been in the league since 2021." This factoid is even more impressive, because now you're putting the Illini in the same conversation as the league's traditional triad of power. UM, OSU and PSU, during most of the 2010s and 2020s, have been in a class well above the rest of the conference. However, of Bielema's many talents, skills and abilities, producing NFL Draft picks is right there at the top of the list. During his three different stops as a college head coach (Wisconsin and Arkansas in addition to Illinois), his programs have produced 56 different draft picks. The 2023 NFL Draft was especially memorable for Bielema and Illinois. As we spotlighted in our Pat Bryant prospect profile piece, the Illini secondary saw three of their players go in the first three rounds: "Devon Witherspoon became the first cornerback off the board in the 2023 draft, going fifth overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Jartavius "Quan" Martin, DB went 47th overall to the Washington Commanders in the 2nd round while Sydney Brown, S, went 66th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 3rd." Illinois is getting a great return on their investment in Bielema, and thus it was time to make him a newly minted man.
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema signs contract extension
Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema signs contract extension A Big Ten football coach has signed a contract extension. Bret Bielema and Illinois have agreed to a six-year extension. The new contract will run through 2031 and will increase Bielema's salary to $7.7 million per year. While at Illinois, Bielema's record is 28-22 overall and 18-18 in the Big Ten. He's been to two bowl games and has a 1-1 record. The former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach has a career mark of 125-80. Bielema is 5-2 against Nebraska in his career, with a 3-0 mark while at Illinois, with a 31-24 Friday night overtime victory last season. While at Wisconsin, he was 2-2 against the Huskers, with one of those victories the infamous 2012 Big Ten Championship Game, when the Cornhuskers lost to the Badgers 70-31. In a statement to the public, Bielema said that he is fortunate to work with an athletic director who fully believes in our football program and a coaching staff that fully believes in the players. "Over the last four seasons, our program has been built on tough, smart, dependable people in every facet: from our players, to our coaches and staff, to our administration." Nebraska and Illinois do not meet during the 2025 regular season. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin football head coach signs major contract extension
Former Wisconsin football head coach signs major contract extension Former Wisconsin football head coach Bret Bielema and the Illinois Fighting Illini have agreed to a new six-year contract that extends through the 2030 season, according to a release. The deal is worth $7.7 million annually, plus it includes retention incentives that begin at $700,000 and increase each year. The $7.7 million figure would rank No. 20 among all college football head coaches last season, according to USA TODAY's salary database. It is more than a $1 million raise from his previous $6.65 million annual contract. Bielema is now 28-22 in four years at Illinois. His 10-3 2024 campaign tied the program record for wins, one it had previously achieved only in 1902, 1983 and 2001. Looking ahead to 2025, he has the Illini potentially set for an even further breakthrough. A veteran returning team and a manageable schedule combine to create College Football Playoff-level expectations. The program's current success under Bielema is a significant departure from its standing under its previous five head coaches. Lovie Smith (2016-20) failed to register a winning season during his tenure, Bill Cubit (2015) went 5-7 in his only year in charge, Tim Beckman (2012-14) went 12-25 in his three years at the helm, Ron Zook (2005-11) registered two winning seasons in seven years and, finally, Ron Turner (1997-2004) also totaled just two winning seasons. Bielema is over .500 through four years with two winning seasons and two respectable 5-7 finishes. His team's 2024 breakthrough raises the expectations for the rest of his tenure. While these contracts are rarely played out in full, he's now locked up through the rest of the decade. Bielema went 68-24 in seven years at Wisconsin from 2006-12. That run included two Rose Bowl trips and two Big Ten titles. Since taking the Illinois job in 2021, the veteran head coach is 1-1 against his former program. That includes a 34-10 win in 2022, Paul Chryst's last game with the Badgers, and a 25-21 loss in 2023. The Badgers and Fighting Illini will meet at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 22 this season. The game is projected to be key to Wisconsin's quest for bowl eligibility. Much more may be at stake for Illinois, which could be looking for an at-large CFP berth. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Fox Sports
14-05-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
Illinois rewards coaches Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood with 6-year extensions
Illinois has locked in its football and men's basketball coaches for the long term, agreeing to six-year contracts with Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood. Illinois rewarded Bielema for turning around its struggling football program, and Underwood for an eight-year run that includes five NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the Elite Eight. Both deals were announced Tuesday. Bielema's deal runs through 2030, while Underwood is locked in through the 2030-31 season. The contracts are pending approval by the university's board of trustees on May 22. Bielema's annual salary would begin at $7.7 million, while Underwood's would start at $4.4 million. Both coaches would be eligible for four one-year extensions if performance benchmarks are met, as well as annual retention incentives starting next July 1. For Bielema, the retention incentives would start at $700,000 and increase each year. For Underwood, they would begin at $1.15 million. In four seasons in Champaign, Bielema has led Illinois to a 28-22 record and an 18-18 mark in Big Ten play. The Illini matched a school record for wins in 2024 when they went 10-3. They beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl and became just the fifth team in the program's 133 years to reach double-digit victories. "Over the last four seasons, our program has been built on tough, smart, dependable people in every facet: from our players, to our coaches and staff, to our administration," Bielema said in a statement. "I am fortunate to work every day with an athletic director that fully believes in our football program and a coaching staff that fully believes in our players." Underwood praised his program's "alignment" with athletic director Josh Whitman, the administration and trustees. "That foundation created the environment where — led by all the tremendous players we've had along with a group of talented assistant coaches and a dedicated staff — we have been able to achieve success," he said. Bielema, who led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowls before a disappointing run at Arkansas, replaced the fired Lovie Smith after the 2020 season. He got a six-year contract at the time with a salary starting at $4.2 million to return to the Big Ten and his home state. Illinois had nine straight losing seasons before Bielema was hired. The Illini went 5-7 in his first year before winning eight games in 2022. They went 5-7 in 2023 before bouncing back last year. Illinois won 10 games for the first time since 2001. The Illini were ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee a program-record four straight weeks and appeared in the AP poll 11 times, finishing at No. 16. Underwood is 165-101 overall at Illinois and 92-66 in Big Ten play, with three league championships. He and Lou Henson are the only Illini coaches with at least five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Illinois was also on track to make the 2020 tournament that was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illini won 22 games last season after losing five starters and the top eight scorers from a team that reached the Elite Eight in 2024. Underwood has a 274-128 record in 12 seasons as a head coach, including three at Stephen F. Austin and one at Oklahoma State. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Illinois rewards coaches Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood with 6-year extensions
Illinois has locked in its football and men's basketball coaches for the long term, agreeing to six-year contracts with Bret Bielema and Brad Underwood. Illinois rewarded Bielema for turning around its struggling football program and Underwood for an eight-year run that includes five NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the Elite Eight. Both deals were announced Tuesday. Bielema's deal runs through 2030, while Underwood is locked in through the 2030-31 season. The contracts are pending approval by the university's board of trustees on May 22. Bielema's annual salary would begin at $7.7 million, while Underwood's would start at $4.4 million. Both coaches would be eligible for four one-year extensions if performance benchmarks are met, as well as annual retention incentives starting next July 1. For Bielema, the retention incentives would start at $700,000 and increase each year. For Underwood, they would begin at $1.15 million. In four seasons in Champaign, Bielema has led Illinois to a 28-22 record and an 18-18 Big Ten mark. The Illini matched a school record for wins in 2024 when they went 10-3. They beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl and became just the fifth team in the program's 133 years to reach double-digit victories. 'Over the last four seasons, our program has been built on tough, smart, dependable people in every facet: from our players, to our coaches and staff, to our administration,' Bielema said in a statement. 'I am fortunate to work every day with an athletic director that fully believes in our football program and a coaching staff that fully believes in our players.' Underwood praised his program's 'alignment' with athletic director Josh Whitman, the administration and trustees. 'That foundation created the environment where — led by all the tremendous players we've had along with a group of talented assistant coaches and a dedicated staff — we have been able to achieve success,' he said. Bielema, who led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowls before a disappointing run at Arkansas, replaced the fired Lovie Smith after the 2020 season. He got a six-year contract at the time with a salary starting at $4.2 million to return to the Big Ten and his home state. Illinois had nine straight losing seasons before Bielema was hired. The Illini went 5-7 in his first year before winning eight games in 2022. They went 5-7 in 2023 before bouncing back last year. Illinois won 10 games for the first time since 2001. The Illini were ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee for a program-record four straight weeks and appeared in the AP poll 11 times, finishing at No. 16. Underwood is 165-101 overall at Illinois and 92-66 in Big Ten play with three conference championships. He and Lou Henson are the only Illini coaches with at least five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Illinois was also on track to make the 2020 tournament that was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illini won 22 games last season after losing five starters and the top eight scorers from a team that reached the Elite Eight in 2024. Underwood has a 274-128 record in 12 seasons as a head coach, including three at Stephen F. Austin and one at Oklahoma State.
