Bret Bielema Dismisses Iowa Rumors Amid Kirk Ferentz Retirement Talk
Bret Bielema addressed rumors linking him to a potential return to Iowa when Kirk Ferentz eventually retires, downplaying any connection. Bielema, who played nose guard for the Hawkeyes from 1989-92 and coached there from 1994-2001, understands the concern from Illinois fans, given his ties to Iowa.
However, during an interview with Pardon My Take, Bielema made it clear he wasn’t worried about the rumors. He even pointed out that his current contract includes a specific clause to prevent such speculation.
“In my new contract, I actually signed a non-compete agreement with every Big Ten school,” Bielema explained. “When I signed my second contract with Illinois, both Wisconsin and Nebraska were open, and I volunteered to make it clear—‘Hey, I know people think I want to go to Iowa, but I don’t want to go to Iowa.’”
Bielema expressed his satisfaction with his time at Iowa, stating, “I spent five great years there, coached for a long time, and I’m happy.” He added that he’s committed to Illinois, and the non-compete clause was just a precaution to alleviate any concerns.
Since becoming Illinois’ head coach in 2021, Bielema has compiled a 28-22 record, including a 10-3 season in 2024 where the Illini won the Citrus Bowl and finished No. 16 in the nation. Under his leadership, Illinois has reached two bowl games.
Bielema’s coaching career spans 125-80 overall, with previous stints at Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Illinois. His most successful stretch came from 2010-2012 at Wisconsin, where he led the team to three consecutive Big Ten titles and Rose Bowl appearances.
After a brief NFL coaching stint from 2018-2020, Bielema returned to college football with Illinois, quickly making an impact in the Big Ten.
He also addressed his viral moment during last season’s Citrus Bowl, where he had a confrontation with South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer. Bielema acknowledged the incident and explained, “I got caught up in the moment. It was a little thing during the game.” He later reached out to Beamer for a cordial conversation, emphasizing that the situation led to a positive rule change for the game.
Bielema concluded, “Sometimes you’ve just got to move past those moments, and that one worked out for the better.”
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