blog posts Bret Bielema takes reins of Fighting Illini Football Dec 18, 2020 8:00 am by Division of Intercollegiate AthleticsAthletics Share on Facebook Tweet Email Images Illinois Athletics Director Josh Whitman reached out to a native son in naming Bret Bielema as the 26th Fighting Illini Head Football Coach in the 132-year history of the program. Share on Facebook Tweet Email