Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has agreed to a new six-year contract through the end of the 2030 season, Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced. The agreement is pending University of Illinois Board of Trustees approval at its meeting May 22.
Bielema has elevated Illinois to new heights during his first four seasons with 28 wins, 18 Big Ten victories, and a victory in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to give Illinois its fifth 10-win season in program history. He has brought national relevance to the Fighting Illini program with continued appearances in the AP Top 25 and College Football Playoff rankings, two New Year's Bowls, three national award finalists, 11 All-Americans, and 12 NFL Draft picks since he arrived in 2021.
"I want to thank Bret for his exceptional leadership and bold vision for the future of Fighting Illini Football," said Whitman. "I am grateful to Bret and Jen for their trust in our program and their long-term commitment to the University of Illinois. Under Bret's guidance, our program has gained national relevance and is steadily rewriting the Illinois record books. As a former player, it is a privilege to partner with him to develop and execute a plan aimed at achieving sustained success. The future of our program has never been brighter. I value Bret's friendship and look forward to accelerating our upward trajectory in the years to come."
"Thank you to Josh Whitman, our administration, and the Board of Trustees for their continued commitment and support for our football program," said Bielema. "Over the last four seasons, our program has been built on tough, smart, dependable people in every facet: from our players, to our coaches and staff, to our administration. I am fortunate to work every day with an athletic director that fully believes in our football program and a coaching staff that fully believes in our players. A special thank you to those players — I could not be more excited about where our program is going because of you.
"Also, thank you to all of our alumni and fans that have played a huge part in getting us to where we are today. The support of the Champaign-Urbana community, the state of Illinois, and all of the Illini famILLy has been outstanding for my wife, Jen, and our two girls, Briella and Brexli. I can't wait to see you all in Memorial Stadium this fall.
"The best is yet to come."
Illinois' identity has been redefined during Bielema's tenure as one of the most physical football programs in the country. The resurgent Illini program is coming off a 2024 season that tied the team record with 10 wins, as Illinois enters the 2025 season as a top-25 program with 18 starters returning.
In 2024, Illinois was ranked by the CFP selection committee for a program-record four straight weeks, appeared in 11 AP Top 25 polls, and tied the program record for ranked wins with four. The Fighting Illini capped one of the best seasons in program history by beating #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, 21-17, in one of the top bowl game victories in Illinois history.
At the Citrus Bowl, Bielema became the first Illini coach to go to two bowl games in his first four seasons since Lou Tepper (1991-94). Bielema's first bowl at Illinois was the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, Illinois' first January bowl in 15 years, in just his second season in Champaign. The 2022 Illini won eight games, were ranked by the CFP committee for the first time in program history, reached as high as No. 14 in the AP poll, led the nation in scoring defense (12.8) for the first time in program history, and led the nation and set a school record in interceptions (24).
Bielema's 28 wins in his first four seasons stacks up among the best in Illinois history. Since Robert Zuppke went undefeated in two of his first three seasons at Illinois from 1913-15, Bielema's 28-22 start is the second-best through 50 games by any Illini head coach, behind only Mike White (30-19-1, 1980-84). His 18 Big Ten wins through his first four seasons at Illinois are the most since John Mackovic won 22 in his first four seasons from 1988-91.
Bielema has also turned Illinois into one of the top programs in producing NFL talent. Illinois was one of five schools with three or more players drafted in the first three rounds in both the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts, along with Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Penn State. Of Bielema's 12 NFL Draft picks at Illinois, eight have been selected within the top-100 picks, the fourth-highest mark in the Big Ten behind only Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State among teams that have been in the league since 2021. Overall, Bielema has produced 56 NFL Draft picks during his career as a head coach.
The Fighting Illini's on-field success has translated to significant growth in enthusiasm among Illini fans. Since Bielema's arrival in 2021, Illinois has experienced the largest attendance growth in the nation. Average attendance increased by 19,403 from 2021 to 2024, ranking Illinois #1 in the nation in total growth and #9 in the nation in percentage growth (+54.9%), and the upward trend is expected to continue into 2025.
With Illinois' success on the field and its significant increase in fan engagement, the Fighting Illini's recruiting profile continues to rise. Bielema signed his fourth-straight top-50 recruiting class in December, a feat achieved at Illinois for the first time since 2005-09 according to 247Sports' national rankings. The 2026 recruiting class is positioned to be one of the best in program history, as the Illini's upcoming class is currently ranked #11 in the nation by both 247Sports and Rivals.
Under his new contract, Bielema's agreement would extend by two years, to June 30, 2031, with the opportunity to earn up to four one-year extensions upon meeting certain performance benchmarks that could extend the contract through 2035. Bielema's annual salary would begin at $7.7 million. In addition, Bielema would be eligible for annual retention incentives on July 1 of each year, commencing with $700,000 on July 1, 2026, and growing each year thereafter. Bielema would be eligible for various bonuses, including a one-time signing bonus and various longevity and performance bonuses. Bielema's contract would come with meaningful protections for the University against his departure to pursue other coaching opportunities.
The University's Board of Trustees will consider Coach Bielema's extension for approval at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
