Illinois

[willycat]

You might be right, but it will be because he’s retired, IMO. He’s left for “greener pastures” once, and he failed. We’ll pay him literally anything he asks for.

that's a joke, right?

 

[FeralFelidae]

Well, he isn't going back to the SEC. Any other conference is a step down from the B1G.

Well, if Notre Dame starts looking for a new coach...

 

[Titanium999]

totally, he can hang 60 on Fitz

Ouch!

 

[StreamCat]

He isn't going anywhere. Loves it here, loves the AD, and we will pay whatever it takes to make sure he stays. However, I'm certain we will be losing coordinators to head coaching gigs.

Yeah, Bielema is the very definition of loyalty. Google it.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

This is it. If he wins the West 2-3 years in a row while others flounder, he could attract blue blood money, but Ill will pay up. I believe he learned his lesson at Ark.

Also 10 years as stated above, as a limit, is a LONG time in this era. If he stays 10 years and wins, say, 85 games, he will have transformed a long suffering program into a consistent winner, like, say, Iowa

The West will not exist in 2-3 years, with the corollary of that being that programs trying to play rock fight football against all the other rock fight teams hidden in our protected little old school football cloister (Iowa, Wisconsin, NU) will no longer be able to achieve success once exposed to the broader world of the Big Ten.

 

[bkillini]

Yeah, Bielema is the very definition of loyalty. Google it.

Spend a few minutes diving into his bio following his departure from Arkansas. People change. It is obvious to the Illinois fans that have followed his journey that his time in the NFL, becoming a father, etc has had an impact on him and how he views life and his career. He isn't the same guy that left Wisconsin.

 

[12375CAT]

He isn't going anywhere. Loves it here, loves the AD, and we will pay whatever it takes to make sure he stays. However, I'm certain we will be losing coordinators to head coaching gigs.

But HCBB played for the Hawks & is an Iowa alum.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

But HCBB played for the Hawks & is an Iowa alum.

And grew up in Illinois as an Illini fan; plenty of factors play into where a coach decides to stay. Given his age, coaching history and trajectory at Illinois, my personal bet is that he stays.

 

[FanatiCat]

And grew up in Illinois as an Illini fan; plenty of factors play into where a coach decides to stay. Given his age, coaching history and trajectory at Illinois, my personal bet is that he stays.

If Ferentz retires in the next couple years I bet Bielema would be at or near the top of the list and I’m sure he would give it very strong consideration.

 

[flight 33]

If Ferentz retires in the next couple years I bet Bielema would be at or near the top of the list and I’m sure he would give it very strong consideration.

Ferentz will stay in till 2029 when his contract runs out.

 

[FanatiCat]

Ferentz will stay in till 2029 when his contract runs out.

He will be 74 going on 75 in 2029, I don’t know that he or Iowa would want him to stay that long especially if they are becoming stagnant.

 

[PurpleFaze]

I wonder if he stays, as he will have opportunities.

His coaching style is a fit for the Big10. He wasn’t a success in the SEC. I’d say he’s found his home assuming he can continue to hit the bowl game floor most years.