Illinois Football: What the Illini should do with Bret Bielema

Illinois football dropped another game on Friday night to move to 2-4 on the season.

With this loss, the Illini are looking for answers. We are not likely to make a bowl game at this point, as Illinois would need to go 4-2 on the way out to clinch a spot in the postseason.

I see some fans on social media calling for the job of Bret Bielema. So, I asked myself, what should the Illinois football program do with Bielema? The answer?

Absolutely nothing.

Bielema is the captain of this ship that has hit some turbulent waters. When we hit those rough patches, we can’t just call for the head of the captain. We need the captain to do what is necessary to right the ship and keep us afloat.

In his first two years as the head coach of the Illini, Bielema has done some good work. He won five games in year one and nearly made a bowl game. Last season, Illinois won eight games, which was the most victories since the 2007 Rose Bowl year.

To let Bielema go after starting 2-4 in year three would be insane and a horrific move for athletic director, Josh Whitman. Bielema has done a good job as the head coach, and Illinois is recruiting well off the field. Some choppy waters don’t mean abandoning ship. It means we need to find a way out of these rough seas.

Bret Bielema needs to make some coaching staff adjustments to get Illinois football going in the right direction

Don’t get what I said above misconstrued. The 2023 campaign thus far has been a massive disappointment. Starting 2-4 is a gut punch and something needs to change quickly. This is where Bielema needs to step up.

When your ship is in the middle of some choppy waters, and your chief mate says go in one direction but clearly there is a hurricane in that direction, you don’t go that way. You take control and lead us out of the rough seas.

That is what is happening right now with the Illinois football program. Illinois has some nice running backs, a bad pass-blocking offensive line, and a defense that is solid. Yet, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. still wants to pass the ball. 47 passes to just 12 runs by the running backs against Nebraska should have been the final straw for Bielema.

I haven’t had too many issues with Bielema since he became the head coach, but if he doesn’t make a move and let Lunney go, then I will look at this as a point of weakness for him. Bielema needs to make a change at offensive coordinator so we can get back on track.

Illinois is averaging 123.5 yards per game on the ground and 253.8 yards per game through the air, which ranks No. 91 and No. 50, respectively. These aren’t good numbers. Don’t let the success from 2022 fool you either. Illinois’ offense wasn’t good last season. We averaged 166.9 rushing yards per game and 201.3 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 55 and No. 98, respectively.

This season, we don’t have one of the best running backs and defenses in the country to cover up the poor offense. Illinois’ offensive flaws are showing, and Lunney should be responsible for the issues. It is time for Bielema to take control and move on from Lunney. Simplify the offense and pound the rock. Let’s win some games before it’s too late.