Illinois Football: 3 things we learned from Bret Bielema’s media day presser

Here are three things we learned from Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema during the Big Ten Media Day press conference session.

Bret Bielema took to the podium to discuss all things Illini football in anticipation of the 2021-22 season. Bielema was hired by Illinois after a brief stint in the NFL with the New England Patriots and New York GIants. Prior to the NFL stops, he was the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Wisconsin Badgers. With the Badgers, he guided the cream of the crop in the Big Ten West to three conference titles in the process.

Now, back in familiar territory, Bielema will look to lead the Illini in a new direction with a “win right now” approach. At the 2021 Big Ten Media Day press conference in Indianapolis on Thursday, Bielema was overjoyed to return to the conference in which he once played and coached.

It’s safe to say that there is a fresh new era in Champaign and one that should hopefully last for years to come.

Here are three things we learned during Bielema’s press conference, as the countdown to the Illinois football season is nearly one month away.

1. Bret Bielema has come full circle

An Illinois native, Bielema felt that when he was returning to college football that taking a job in his home state was ultimately the right fit. He reflected on what it meant to return to the Big Ten and coach a program that once had a storied tradition and rich history.

"“First and foremost, it kinda comes full circle for me,” Bielema said. “To come back in here to Lucas Oil [Stadium]…the last time I was in this building was my last game as a head coach in this conference. We played Nebraska [in the Big Ten Championship]. To open up the season this year against Nebraska is the completion of a journey that has brought me to where we are. But to be at the University of Illinois now, as an Illinois-born [is a great honor]. I played high school football in this state. To come back to this conference as a former player, a former assistant coach, former defensive coordinator, former head coach in this league, especially in the Big Ten West, it has come full circle.”"

2. The relationship between Bret Bielema and athletic director, Josh Whitman

Upon the hiring process, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman spoke highly of Bielema’s coaching credentials. Bielema feels confident that he and Whitman are on the same page heading into their first year as a pair together. Each sees the same vision and mission for the program, though it could take a while to build a fresh identity within the team and staff.

"“So, I couldn’t be more excited to unite with a fanbase that is excited to see where we can go, but where we can sustain this [success],” he said. “When I first had a conversation with Josh [Whitman], about coming to the University of Illinois, the thing he kept harping and remaining [me] and staying on to this day with where we’re at right now is the overall commitment to not only get Illinois where we want to be but to get Illinois to stay where want to be. In 2021, to have a program sitting in a position to be discovered for the long-term is a very exciting time.”"

3. The anticipation of opening up the college football season during Week 0 against Nebraska

Bielema is grateful for the opportunity to open up the college football season against Nebraska as the first major Power 5 affair. Originally scheduled for Ireland, the pandemic halted those plans, and the game was moved to Memorial Stadium. The Illini and Cornhuskers are scheduled for a 12 p.m. kickoff, which will be broadcast on FOX on August 28.

"“Nebraska is a team we have great respect for,” he said. “I’ve known Scott [Frost] for a long time [This is] a team that brought a national championship to the Big Ten when they came into it, and now the opportunity to open up the college football season at noon, literally as the first college football game of the year, is truly an exceptional opportunity.”"

Welcome back, college football season.