Bret Bielema responds to Shane Beamer social media tirade after Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl was one of the for the ages, as the Illinois football team took down South Carolina.

While the final score read 21-17 in favor of the Illini, this wasn’t and still isn’t the biggest headline coming out of the game. For me, winning was everything, but South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer wasn’t done with the result the next morning.

Beamer took to social media on Wednesday morning and posted a long tirade about how he didn’t get his way. The whiny and embarrassing behavior that was on display in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl spilled over, as he continued to have anger issues.

Throughout the tirade, Beamer questioned Illinois’ ethics and went on and on about Illinois. At the end, he says, “This one is over -On to 2025- Happy New Year.”

Beamer was trying to get in the last word on the events that took place throughout the past 24 hours. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema didn’t let that happen.

About an hour after Beamer posted his tirade on social media, Bielema quoted it and had some simple words for the childish coach.

I would argue that nine words couldn’t hurt more to Beamer right now. Not only did Bielema take the high road, but him congratulating Beamer on a great season and wishing him a Happy New Year is just a twist in the proverbial knife that is in the side of Beamer.

Bielema was able to take down Beamer on the field in a big upset in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Beamer went full keyboard warrior mode, and Bielema was able to take him down on social media as well.

At the end of the day, this couldn’t be more of a chef’s kiss moment for the Illinois football program. What a way to kick off the 2025 offseason.