Bret Bielema Takes Aim at SEC With 2005 Remark at Big Ten Media Days
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema continued his public criticism of the SEC during Big Ten Media Days, suggesting the conference is still relying on its past success rather than focusing on the present.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Bielema joked that the SEC is “living in 2005,” while also taking a lighthearted swipe at SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, according to Brett McMurphy of On3Sports.
“They want to live in 2005 forever,” Bielema said.
The comment references 2005, when Bielema was serving as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator. It also marked the beginning of the SEC’s era of dominance in college football, as the conference went on to capture 13 national championships behind powerhouse programs such as Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Florida.
The SEC has continued to expand its influence over the years, adding Texas A&M and Missouri in 2012 before welcoming Texas and Oklahoma ahead of the 2024 season, further strengthening its position as one of the nation’s premier football conferences.
Bielema’s latest remarks are another chapter in his ongoing back-and-forth with the SEC, a conference he knows well from his tenure as Arkansas’ head coach. Since taking over at Illinois, he has frequently challenged the SEC’s reputation and has not hesitated to voice his opinions whenever the opportunity arises.
While the SEC was beginning its championship run in 2005, Illinois was coming off a difficult 2-9 campaign. Just two years later, however, the Fighting Illini rebounded under Ron Zook, finishing 9-4 and earning a trip to the Rose Bowl after the 2007 season.
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