Giants' Bielema signs 6-year deal to become next Illinois head coach

Illinois announced New York Giants defensive assistant Bret Bielema as the program's next head coach. Bielema will begin his duties immediately after signing a six-year deal worth $4.2 million annually.

"Illinois and the Big Ten is home for me, and I can't be any more excited about the opportunity in front of me with the Fighting Illini," Bielema said. "We want to build a program that makes Illini Nation proud and regain the passion that I've seen when Illinois wins,"

Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman touted Bielema's track record and experience, calling the program's new coach a "proven winner."

Bielema, an Illinois native, has experience in the Big Ten and SEC, previously coaching at Wisconsin and Arkansas before heading to the NFL.

Bielema commanded the Badgers from 2006 to 2012 and experienced a multitude of success, winning three Big Ten championships and owning a 68-24 record during his tenure.

The collegiate sideline boss then spent the next five seasons at Arkansas before departing for the NFL, serving as a consultant and defensive line coach for the New England Patriots in 2018 and 2019. He then spent the 2020 season with the Giants.

Illinois recently fired Lovie Smith after the former NFL head coach struggled to improve the Fighting Illini, posting a 17-39 record over five seasons.