As of August 2025, Bret Bielema is the Illinois Fighting Illini's head coach. Bielema has been with the college team since 2021 after announcing in December 2020 that he would be joining them. Bielema started his coaching career in 1994 with IOWA as a graduate assistant. In 1996, he was elevated to the position of linebackers coach. Bielema was named the Kansas State Wildcats' co-defensive coordinator in 2001. He joined the Wisconsin Badgers in 2004 as their defensive coordinator, then in 2006, he was elevated to head coach. In 2012, he became head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. After that, he served as assistant coach with the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in the NFL.
He played linebacker and tight end in high school during his prep career. Bielema joined the Iowa Hawkeyes as a defensive lineman after high school and was a part of the team that won the Big Ten championship in 1990. He spent a year playing professionally for the Milwaukee Mustangs.
Who is the wife of Bret Bielema?
Jennifer Hielsberg is the wife of Bret Bielema.
Jennifer Hielsberg Social Media
Jennifer Hielsberg has an Instagram account with 99 posts and 6,233 followers, and her X account has 53.7K followers, as of August 2025.
| Social Media | Account |
| @jenniferbielema | |
| X (formerly Twitter) | @jenbielema |
How long have Bret and Jennifer Bielema been married?
Bret and Jennifer Bielema got married on March 10, 2012, in Madison, Wisconsin. They have been happily married for 13 years as of August 2025.
How many children do Bret and Jennifer Bielema have?
Bret and Jennifer Bielema have two children. Briella, their first daughter, was born in 2017. Brexli, their second daughter, was born in 2019.
FAQs on Bret Bielema
A. Bret Bielema won three Big Ten titles as head coach at Wisconsin.
A. Bret Bielema is the head football coach at the University of Illinois.
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.
A. Bret Bielema played as a defensive lineman at the University of Iowa.
