Bret Bielema agrees to six-year deal to be Illinois HC

Bret Bielema is moving on to Illinois. Justin Ford via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Bret Bielema leaving Giants to coach Illinois, agrees to six-year deal

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Dec 19, 2020 11:05 AM ET

New York Giants defensive assistant Bret Bielema is moving on from the club.

Illinois announced Saturday that Bielema has agreed to a six-year deal to become the team's next head coach. The deal will pay him $4.2 million annually.

Welcome to the #ILLINI family ⁦@BretBielema⁩! Excited to lock arms and get to work on our championship vision for ⁦@IlliniFootball⁩! Proud to have you, Jen, and your girls in . Let’s gooooooo! #ILLINIFamily #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/ANKUzGQ0CJ
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) December 19, 2020

Bielema, a native of Illinois, has experience coaching Wisconsin and Arkansas. He led the Badgers from 2006-12, winning three Big Ten championships and posting a 68-24 record during his tenure. He spent five seasons at Arkansas before joining the New England Patriots as a consultant and defensive line coach in 2018 and 2019. He joined the Giants this season.

Illinois recently fired Lovie Smith after he posted a 17-39 record over five seasons with the Fighting Illini. The team is currently 2-5 on the season.

Bielema is set to be in attendance when Illinois takes on Penn State on Saturday.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on X @ewalsh90.

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