Bret Bielema is the head football coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini and has been at the helm since December 2020. Born on January 13, 1970, in Prophetstown, Illinois, Bielema played college football at the University of Iowa as a defensive lineman. He started off as an assistant coach at Iowa and rose to the limelight by being the head coach at Wisconsin when he guided the Badgers to three successive Big Ten titles and Rose Bowl appearances. Bielema also coached at Arkansas, and before coming back to college football, spent three seasons in the NFL coaching the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
Bret Bielema's experience in the NFL after his stint at the University of Arkansas from 2013 to 2017 with a 29–34 record in the competitive SEC. He spent three seasons as an assistant coach, first with the New England Patriots in 2018 and 2019 and then with the New York Giants in 2020. This NFL experience enriched his coaching acumen. On December 19, 2020, Bielema began a new chapter as head coach of the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign football program, signing a substantial six-year contract infused with performance-based incentives.
As of 2024, Bielema's overall head coaching record is 124–80, his Bowl record is 4–6. Bielema also won the Big Ten Coach of the Year Award in 2006.
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Bret Bielema Salary
As per USA Today, Bret Bielema's annual salary is $6.6 million plus a $1.6 million bonus, as of December 2024. He started his role with an annual salary of $4.2 million plus $1.2 million bonus for the first year in 2021.
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Bret Bielema Contract
As per ESPN, Bret Bielema signed a six-year contract that extends his commitment to the program until 2028 and includes a $500,000 annual retention.
FAQs on Bret Bielema's salary
A. Bret Bielema is the head football coach at the University of Illinois.
A. Bret Bielema played as a defensive lineman at the University of Iowa.
A. Bret Bielema won three Big Ten titles as head coach at Wisconsin.
A. Bret Bielema was named Illinois' head coach in December 2020.
A. Yes, Bret Bielema held coaching positions with the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
