Former Badgers coach Bret Bielema hired by Illinois
December 19, 2020 9:03 AM Jaymes Langrehr
MADISON, Wis. Former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Bret Bielema is returning to the Big Ten.
The University of Illinois announced Bielema as its new football coach with a press release on Saturday. Bielema takes over for Lovie Smith, who was fired after going 17-39 in five seasons.
https://twitter.com/IlliniFootball/status/1340295921595265025
Bielema coached the Badgers from 2006 to 2012, winning three Big Ten championships and compiling a 68-24 record before leaving Madison to become the coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Bielema was fired at Arkansas following the 2017 season after going 29-34 in five seasons.