History of Bret Bielema in Timeline
Bret Bielema is a prominent figure in American football coaching. Currently, he leads the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign football team, a position he's held since 2021. Prior to Illinois, Bielema coached at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 2006 to 2012, amassing a 68-24 record and leading the team to three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances, though they didn't secure a victory. He also held the head coaching position at the University of Arkansas from 2013 to 2017, where his record was 29-34. Bielema's coaching career also includes three seasons in the NFL, working as an assistant coach with the New England Patriots in 2018 and 2019, and the New York Giants in 2020.
1952: Reference Point for Largest Blown Lead
The 24-point blown lead against Virginia Tech in the 2016 Belk Bowl was the largest for Arkansas since at least 1952. This serves as a historical reference point for the magnitude of the loss.
2011: Illinois' First Winning Season Since 2011
The 2022 season was Illinois' first winning season since 2011.
March 10, 2012: Bielema Marries Jen Hielsberg
Bret Bielema married Jen Hielsberg on March 10, 2012, in Madison.
2014: Bielema Leads Illinois to First Win Over Northwestern Since 2014
In 2014, Bret Bielema's Illinois team marked their first win over rival, Northwestern, since 2014. This happened during Bielema's first season as head coach at Illinois which concluded with a 5-7 overall record and a 4-5 record in the Big Ten.
February 25, 2016: "Being Bret Bielema" Series Premieres
On February 25, 2016, a series called "Being Bret Bielema" debuted, hosted by Arkansas sports radio personality Bo Mattingly.
2016: Arkansas's Season Ends with Two Disappointing Losses
In 2016, Bret Bielema's fourth season as head coach of Arkansas ended with two significant losses. The team lost to Missouri in the regular season finale after squandering a 17-point halftime lead, and then to Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl, giving up a 24-point halftime advantage. The loss to Virginia Tech marked the biggest blown halftime lead for the team since at least 1952. Had Arkansas won against Missouri, Bielema would have improved his regular-season record every year at Arkansas.
November 24, 2017: Bielema Fired as Arkansas Head Coach
On November 24, 2017, Bret Bielema was fired from his position as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks football team after a 48-45 home loss to the Missouri Tigers. This concluded his five-season tenure with the team. Although Arkansas held two 14-point leads during the game, they ultimately lost. Bielema was informed of his dismissal as he left the field. The decision to announce the firing after the game, according to reports, was made so Bielema could address his team one last time before they left for Thanksgiving.
2017: Birth of Briella Bielema
Bret and Jen Bielema's first daughter, Briella, was born in 2017.
2018: Bielema Joins New England Patriots as Consultant
Bret Bielema joined the New England Patriots as a defensive consultant to head coach Bill Belichick in 2018.
2019: Birth of Brexli Bielema
Bret and Jen Bielema's second daughter, Brexli, was born in 2019.
2019: Bielema Promoted to Defensive Line Coach, Wins Super Bowl
In 2019, Bret Bielema was promoted to defensive line coach for the New England Patriots. He also won his first Super Bowl ring when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
2019: Illinois' First Bowl Game Since 2019
The 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl marked Illinois' first bowl game appearance since 2019.
January 21, 2020: Bielema Hired by New York Giants
On January 21, 2020, the New York Giants hired Bret Bielema as their outside linebackers coach and senior assistant under head coach Joe Judge.
December 19, 2020: Bielema Named Head Coach at Illinois
On December 19, 2020, Bret Bielema was announced as the new head football coach for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, replacing Lovie Smith. Bielema agreed to a six-year contract with a starting salary of $4.2 million, subject to annual increases based on performance and fulfilling promotional duties. His salary made him the ninth highest-paid head coach in the Big Ten Conference.
2022: Illinois Achieves Winning Season Under Bielema
In 2022, Bret Bielema led the Illinois Fighting Illini to an 8-4 regular season record. This included a six-game winning streak, their first winning season since 2011, and an invitation to the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, the team's first bowl appearance since 2019.
2023: Illinois Plays in ReliaQuest Bowl
Illinois played in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl against Mississippi State, losing 19-10, inspired by the recent death of their coach Mike Leach.
2023: Illinois Finishes with a Losing Record
In the 2023 season, the Fighting Illini, coached by Bret Bielema, finished with a 5-7 record.