Its actually possible to know Lovie should have been fired and also dislike Bielema.
Bret Bielema Takes Reins of Illinois Football
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
Smith failed, no doubt, but he wasn't nearly the recursive dumpster fire that Moleface was. Not even close.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
So the three people reported as having interviewed are Leipold, Freeman, and Bielema.
Freeman would have been intriguing, but a 34 year old non-Power Five coordinator would have been tricky. He'd have needed to assemble an excellent staff which may have been difficult.
He's gotta be wondering what the heck is taking Fickell so long to leave.
Many of you said you wanted someone with success as a P5 coach. That list is small. Doubtful that a former PAC-12 or Big-12 coach would have necessary recruiting ties in the Midwest. No formerly successful SEC coach is looking for a gig in Champaign. If Whitman was looking for someone who had a history of success as a head coach in the BIG, his candidates under the age of 65 were Meyer, Bielema, Bill O’Brien, Brady Hoke and Bo Pelini.
I’m optimistic that BB will be better than Lovie; that’s movement in the right direction. If he incrementally improves the program to a consistent 6-7 wins/year, that makes the position far more attractive if/when he moves on to something else.
I’m optimistic that BB will be better than Lovie; that’s movement in the right direction. If he incrementally improves the program to a consistent 6-7 wins/year, that makes the position far more attractive if/when he moves on to something else.
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You would have preferred hiring a 30 year old WR coach with three years of coaching experience over a 50 year old with three Rose Bowls and a history of success in the conference? Wow.
I wanted BB but didn’t think it would happen. I read one post calling him a Wisky reject. Just fake news. Football wise he failed in the SEC west. Lots have. Then went and watched video with Belichek for a couple of years. I love this hire for us from a football perspective. Best possible outcome for guys within our reach.
The Sprouting Divot
Invisible and Bulletproof
- Miracle Mile
This quote is from a rookie olb with the last name coughlin. Not tom coughlin.
sacraig
- The desert
I see it being a lot more likely to go toward us with a new coach than with someone who continues to field a losing (and in a very uncompetitive way) product. At the very worst it gives a new coach a chance. Whether they capitalize is on them.
Cubit’s previous gig was Illinois OC. He was promoted.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
This strikes me as...fine?
I think we’ve become a bit inured to some real outlier behavior from our coaches over the last ten years, be it nepotism or the ghosting of HS coaches or disastrous hires (see also: nepotism) or truly terrible in-game decision-making. I have a hard time seeing Bielema doing any of that stuff. Does that translate to certain success? Obviously not. But it might mean a significantly higher floor.
I think we’ve become a bit inured to some real outlier behavior from our coaches over the last ten years, be it nepotism or the ghosting of HS coaches or disastrous hires (see also: nepotism) or truly terrible in-game decision-making. I have a hard time seeing Bielema doing any of that stuff. Does that translate to certain success? Obviously not. But it might mean a significantly higher floor.
True, but he said last HC gig.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
You think there are Illini bandwagon fans?
You know that article was satire, right?Some have expressed optimism that BB will learn from his experiences.
It appears there may be room for massive growth potential
Bret and Jen Bielema Arrested in Oxford Following Game - Rock City Times
OXFORD, Ms — Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema and his wife Jen were arrested Saturday night following the Razorback’s game against Ole Miss for disorderly conduct and indecent exposure. According ...www.rockcitytimes.com
Zook football had become an embarrassment...the only reason some folks remember his tenure so fondly is due to how much worse it became after
I agree with Ligs and Lou.
What is with the love for Cory? He got some recruits that he directly coached. Besides that, he has followed through with very few others from that area. On top of that, we have no idea what his coaching is even like. It was a risk I was willing to accept from Lovie, but I don’t think it’s paid off.
Calling "Body by Lou"..Looks like he might just be a baggy wind suit and visor guy, unfortunately. This takes my grade of the hire from a B to a B-.
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Giants lose Bret Bielema, hired as Illinois’ next head coach: Thoughts on a big (but expected) loss
The New York Giants lose outside linebackers coach Bret Bielema to Illinois.www.nj.com
Calling "Body by Lou"....get to work Lou, looks like a full time job!
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
I loved Freeman and think he's going to be solid. Maybe this is being overly critical but I wonder if he was actually interviewed or if this leak is purely "we looked into a non-white coach too!"
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I suspect Whitman interviewed a number of different people and tend to trust the national college football reporters sources on these sorts of thing. Though you're right that those other things can be a consideration.
Fickell needs to just leave already and let's see what Freeman can do with the Cincy team he's been so instrumental in building.
I was on the fence until i heard the ESL guy hated it. Now i love the hire.