Bret Bielema Takes Reins of Illinois Football

#101      
Illinivek23
He said there will be a big effort to assess exactly where we are right now. I'm looking forward to his staff selections. Would be helpful if he can pull in a few Melvin Gordon types. Maybe we can now steal a few out of WI every year.
 
#102      
TMC999
ChiefGritty said:
When your revenue sport head coaches are Brad Underwood and Bret Bielema, I think it's time to retire certain romantic notions about your AD. Which is okay and probably overdue.

We're here to win games.
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I disagree with that blanket statement. Yes we are here to win and that’s why Lovie got fired. You can win and not be an embarrassment. We are not Louisville. I hope he’s turned over a new leaf.
 
#104      
KevinC
ChiefGritty said:
When your revenue sport head coaches are Brad Underwood and Bret Bielema, I think it's time to retire certain romantic notions about your AD. Which is okay and probably overdue.

We're here to win games.
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Pounding the ball on the ground does not win games, anymore. Hopefully, his NFL exposure has changed his mind.
 
#107      
ChiefGritty
SuperMetroid said:
The word ‘retread’ kept popping into my head every time I heard his name come up. Yes, he’s had success in the past and things could work out... but I just can’t shake the feeling that we’re one of the only P5 programs that would have made this hire.
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He reportedly turned down Kansas when they hired Les Miles. That was around the time he was making comments about how he's an NFL coach now and he's never going back to college.

That's another question I would definitely be asking. Because a year or so later he reportedly was sniffing around the Michigan State job.
 
#108      
SummerofGeorge
There is a lot to be said about the motivation that a slice of humble pie can generate. I believe that failure can be our greatest teacher and motivator and his move from Wisconsin to Arkansas certainly had to smack him in the mouth with some humility. I love the fact he is from the state and has quality experience in the league. I know there has been a lot of innuendo thrown out there about personal transgressions which I know nothing about. I assume if there is smoke there is likely fire but I also believe people can grow and change. None of that should ever be tolerated here. Overall, I like the hire and am excited to see how things take shape over the next few weeks and months. Do any of the current coaches stay?
 
#109      
TMC999
Ok color me shocked/surprised in that JW is tying his fate to this hire. To be clear there is nothing I want more than a winning football program, and one which also is a source of pride for all of us. Wishing BB the best of luck. This is a tough rebuild for whoever they were going to hire. Go Illini. Sigh...
 
#111      
The Ghost
Well it is the Christmas season, so I guess it makes sense to hire someone from Prophetstown
will ferrell winter GIF
 
#116      
Ander1345
ChiefGritty said:
He reportedly turned down Kansas when they hired Les Miles. That was around the time he was making comments about how he's an NFL coach now and he's never going back to college.

That's another question I would definitely be asking. Because a year or so later he reportedly was sniffing around the Michigan State job.
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To be fair Les Miles probably should have also turned the Kansas job down.
 
#117      
ChiefGritty
Dbell1981 said:
I love it simply because a lot on here do not. Kinda reminiscent of the Underwood hire. Hopefully Bielema has just as many eating crow in a few years like Underwood has.
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I understand why there are people who don't like this hire. Some of the stuff that was said about Underwood was just pure insanity. Go back and look at that thread if you want a laugh.
 
#119      
MadtownIllin
TMC999 said:
I disagree with that blanket statement. Yes we are here to win and that’s why Lovie got fired. You can win and not be an embarrassment. We are not Louisville. I hope he’s turned over a new leaf.
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This. After 50+ years of watching Illini football through mostly bad teams (undergrad in the mid 70's was brutal--the only thing that helped get you through the games was your wine skin with peppermint schnapps or jack) it will make it very difficult to watch knowing the scum bag that will be the coach. In addition living in Madison, I'll have to put up with the grief from Badger fans of BB being our coach--looks like I'll have to dig out that old wine skin...
 
#123      
Dbell1981
ChiefGritty said:
I understand why there are people who don't like this hire. Some of the stuff that was said about Underwood was just pure insanity. Go back and look at that thread if you want a laugh.
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I agree. I just want them to be successful. I wonder if Bielema was at Wisconsin when R. Wilson was there? If so we could use that OC for Mr. Williams.
 
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