Bret Bielema, older and wiser, returns to the Big Ten and hopes to turn Illinois into a consistent winner
New Illinois coach Bret Bielema during the Big Ten meetings: “I’ve learned things through success. But I’ve also learned things through failure.”
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Bielema compiled a 68-24 record in seven seasons at UW, winning a share of the league title in 2010 and then winning the title outright in 2011 and 2012.
Adversity? Arkansas went 11-29 in SEC play and 29-34 overall in Bielema’s five seasons.
“I think as a man you learn more through adversity than you do in moments of success,” he said.
Three seasons in the National Football League, two under Belichick at New England and last season under Joe Judge with the New York Giants, followed Bielema’s departure from Arkansas.
He insisted Thursday that the circuitous path was necessary. “I wouldn’t be where I am today, in the position I’m in,” he said, “if I hadn’t done it.”
I always thought BB was full of himself when he was at UW ... kind of proved that to me when he left for Arkansas. His 3 years in the NFL including 2 under Belichick scare me. If he builds a Wisconsin-esque run-first program at Illinois he could be a handful in 3 to 5 years!