Your account has an invalid email address. Breaking in a new offensive coordinator and adjusting to losing three NFL drafted defensive players up front, the Razorbacks got off to a slow start, losing to Toledo and Texas Tech in the non-conference and started 24. [15] After a 1714 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2007, he became the third coach in NCAA history to win 12 games in his rookie season, finishing 121. A city that has been starving for a winner to finally happen. Bielema was an assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons, in 2018 and 2019 with the New England Patriots and 2020 with the New York Giants. Illiniois head coach Bret Bielema is settling the famILLy business, one game at a time. And Jen has always driven me to get out of my comfort zone and to embrace things that Im not familiar with. Dedicated to making this his familys home for potentially decades to come, Bret designed an entire wing dedicated to recruiting visits and remote work, featuring the Illini Way, which will include some of his football memorabilia, like Big Ten and Lombardi trophies. [13] With a 2421 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 11, Bielema became the first head coach in Big Ten history to win ten games in his first season. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema (USA Today Sports Images) Zack Carpenter InsideNebraska. Not seeing his family since a short stay in New Jersey for Christmas, Bret hoped to hop on a plane by 7 a.m. and take a two-hour flight out to his familys rental home just to bring them right back to Champaign, so he could be with his family for good. The moment caused considerable stir, with University of Iowa officials reprimanding Bielema and sending an official letter of apology to Walden. Arnie Bielema is not an unfamiliar name if you are familiar with college football and National Football League (NFL).. "Illinois under Lovie Smith emphasized takeaways and continued that trend with Bret Bielema. Following his graduation, Bielema signed a free-agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks and ended his playing career in 1994 as a member of the Milwaukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League. Not having depth on the offensive line does fall on the shoulders of the previous regime. In the weekly press conference on Monday afternoon, Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema made some headlines. Illinois football coach Bret Bielema will coach the Illini at No. From 2006-12 Bielema was the head coach at Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to three Big Ten championships (2010-12), six consecutive bowl games and a 68-24 record (.739). [7][8], Bielema left Kansas State after the 2003 season to become the Wisconsin defensive coordinator under head coach Barry Alvarez, who had also coached at Iowa under Fry. After going undrafted in the 1993 NFL Draft, Bielema signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks, but was cut during the summer. Following an off week, Bielema and the Fighting Illini upset 24.5-point favorite Penn State in Happy Valley, then ranked #7 in the AP Poll. . [17][18] He left partly to coach in the Southeastern Conference and partly because he felt that his assistant coaches were not being paid enough. Bielema then spent five seasons as head coach at Arkansas from 2013-17. Not yet a premium member? Bret Bielema has agreed to a six-year contract extension with Illinois through the end of the 2028 season, the school announced on Tuesday. Bret Bielema explains why he left Giants for Illinois. Bielema's starting quarterback also suffered a throwing shoulder injury, which limited his ability the entire season. . Milestones have included snapping a six-game losing streak against Northwestern, a 20-year road drought against Wisconsin, and a 14-year drought against Iowa, all in less than two seasons. [1] He played tight end and linebacker in high school. Now in his second season at Illinois, Bielema is doing something he never did with the Razorbacks. He could pretend thats not the case or get offended by comments about it. Illinois' five All-Americans included Witherspoon, who was the first Illini defensive back in history to be named a Consensus All-American, RB Chase Brown, DB Sydney Brown, DT Jer'Zhan Newton, and OL Alex Palczewski, who was the first Illini offensive tackle in history to earn a first team All-America honor. Bielema is the only coach in Wisconsin history to lose consecutive Rose Bowls. [39], On January 21, 2020, the Giants hired Bielema as their outside linebackers coach and senior assistant under Joe Judge.[40]. [30] Bielema ended the year by defeating one of his former mentors, Bill Snyder, in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, as Arkansas dispatched Kansas State, 4523, to finish the season with a record of 85. Here is the quote about the offensive line. And like Alex Collins at Arkansas, Bielema has a borderline Heisman Trophy-like running back in Chase Brown, who is the only rusher in FBS with more 1,000 yards. [10] Later, with a 243 win over Purdue on October 21, Bielema tied the record for most wins by a first-year coach at UW with seven. Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg Illinois coach Bret Bielema has had a difficult week. So naturally, Bret adapted, pushed back his flight a couple hours and was warmly welcomed by his family in Jersey late morning. Bret Bielema had been planning a March 26 reunion with his wife, Jen, and young daughters, Briella and Brexli, for months. In the meantime, Bret stayed out of the way, letting Jen do her supermom duties while entertaining the girls. 21 Northwestern. 1CHAMPAIGN One announced sellout crowd has happened at Memorial Stadium in the past 11 seasons, with the moment taking place at a 2016 Illinois home football game against North Carolina. Bielema left for Arkansas before the bowl game and the ranking reflects the team's ranking at the time of Bielema's departure. American football player and coach (born 2005), Arkansas Razorbacks head football coaches, Illinois Fighting Illini head football coaches, "Bret Bielema's hometown roots still strong long after Illinois football coach left Prophetstown", "2021 Illinois Football Record Book (PDF)", "Recounting Kirk Ferentz's hire at Iowa, 20 years later", "Arkansas coach Bret Bielema has fond, humorous memories working for Kansas State's Bill Snyder", "Alvarez to step down as Badgers coach after season, picks successor", https://web.archive.org/web/20070313001612/http://uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportid=111&storyid=9148, https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010058/http://uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportid=111&storyid=9455, https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010518/http://uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportid=111&storyid=9525, https://web.archive.org/web/20061214042311/http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportID=111&storyID=9606, "BIG TEN NOTEBOOK; Bielema quietly has superb first year", "UW Earns First-Ever 11-Win Regular Season", "Wisconsin's Bielema hired as Arkansas coach", "University To Introduce New Coach Bielema Wednesday", "Arkansas coach Bielema says pay for his assistants was an issue at Wisconsin", "Arkansas Razorbacks: Bret Bielema named new head football coach", "2013 Southeastern Conference Year Summary", "Arkansas Razorbacks Football Record By Year", "LSU at Arkansas Box Score, November 15, 2014", "Ole Miss at Arkansas Box Score, November 22, 2014", "Arkansas at Missouri Box Score, November 28, 2014", "Texas Bowl - Arkansas vs Texas Box Score, December 29, 2014", "Toledo vs Arkansas Box Score, September 12, 2015", "Texas A&M vs Arkansas Box Score, September 26, 2015", "Mississippi State ekes out crazy 51-50 win over Arkansas", "Liberty Bowl - Kansas State vs Arkansas Box Score, January 2, 2016", "The Hutch Report: Bielema's second half collapses", "Rhoads Promoted To Defensive Coordinator", "College football and basketball coaches are the highest-paid public employees here are the biggest paydays", "Arkansas' Bret Bielema says he was fired as he left the field following loss", "Am told Arkansas fired Bret Bielema right after the game because his players were scattering and leaving town for the holiday weekend. Little did I know that this game against Minnesota, a rematch of a 14-6 Illini upset win from 2021, would mean so much more to a program, a campus, and a city. Chryst finished his Badgers . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He and his wife, Jen, have two daughters, Briella Nicole and Brexli Nichole. In Bielema's first season with the Patriots, New England was 11-5 and defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. #ILL #HTTO #famILLy. On December 4, 2012, it was announced that Bielema was leaving Wisconsin to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. will realize a dream of his late father by playing in the Big House . But when that came through yesterday, I was literally just, just sat there for a moment kind of digested it and thought about it, Bielema said when discussing being ranked. Bret Bielema had an indirect part in his former employer changing head coaches. The date is October 15, and the Illini have a chance to reach heights that looked improbable just 11 months ago. Quote Tweet. The victory against the Buckeyes would be his only one as he was 1-5 against Ohio State. [6], After the 2001 season, Bielema became co-defensive coordinator for the Kansas State Wildcats, coached by Bill Snyder, who had coached at Iowa with Fry for a decade. Bielema has the Fighting Illini sitting at 6-1 and in first place of the Big Ten. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. Zachary Barlev and Josh Kreutz could have very bright futures. I dont think I would ever have gotten that from anybody else but her. CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli breaks down what Illinois football's long-term possibilities are under Bret Bielema in a deepening Big Ten. And the things we sacrifice and the things she does to make sure thats always in check is something thats really special., The Mardini sisters story is shared in Netflixs The Swimmers, Kofi Cockburn agrees to professional contract with Japanese basketball club Niigata Albirex BB, Campus Raising Canes sets late Feb. open date, Orkin labels Champaign 11th-worst Bed Bug City in nation, Notes, player grades from Illinois mens basketballs electric comeback against No. And while Bret will get most of the spotlight during their years in Champaign, as the head football coach always does, he knows getting to this point in his life and football career would be impossible without Jen. [5] Bielema, one of the leading recruiters on Fry's staff, continued on the road recruiting during the coaching search. d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy Yesterdays press conference was different, though. I was just so excited to see him too. The dogs were barking because (the girls) were screaming, Daddy, Daddy; And my oldest, shes totally a daddys girl. But it was a special moment for all of us. Champaign, Illinois | East Central IL's source for news, weather & sports. Lets look at the content first. It was thefirst time a pair of Illini earn finalists status in National College Football Awards Associationawardssince 1995 and the first time an Illini finished in the top three of either the Doak Walker Award or Thorpe Award. The point? Bielema's coaching pedigree and list of football mentors matches that of any coach in the nation. Is what Bielema said about the offensive line current? His first two seasons in the NFL were with the New England Patriots as a consultant to six-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick in 2018 and as the team's defensive line coach in 2019, when the Patriots won the AFC East with a 12-4 record and had the NFL's best defense. [50][51] Their first daughter, Briella, was born in 2017. During his three years with Ferentz at Iowa, Bielema recruited several players, most from Florida, that would form part of the core of the 2002 Iowa team, including Heisman runner-up quarterback Brad Banks, wide receivers C. J. Jones and Maurice Brown, nose tackle Colin Cole, cornerback Antwan Allen, and linebackers Fred Barr and Abdul Hodge. Witherspoon was also Illinois' first winner of theBig Ten's Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, one of five Illini to be namedan All-American,and one of 19 Illini to earn All-Big Ten honors, the most in program history. . 14, and were ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time in school history. The Hogs have Rocket Sanders and his 870 yards, third in FBS. Has been pretending to be a cowboy ever since the first episode of Yellowstone aired. Bielema would have been the . After the game, Bielema told reporters that he had been told he was being fired while he was coming off the field. So far through the first seven games of the season, the Illini sit with a 2-5 record. In Bielema's debut season at Wisconsin in 2006, the Badgers finished 12-1, including a victory in the Capital One Bowl against Arkansas. aGUtZ3JvdW5kLXpvb21pbmcmYzU9MjAyMjczMzEwMSZjdj0yLjAmY2o9MSZj Then, his Wisconsin Badgers upset Nebraska 70-31 in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game, completing a . [24][25] Though Arkansas lost its remaining conference game against Missouri, the Razorbacks were still the first unranked team in college football history to shut out two consecutive ranked opponents. At 5-1 (2-1 B1G), the Illini have a chance to clinch a bowl berth for the first time since 2019, needing six wins to make it a reality. Here's how the 6,309-square foot home was listed on Realtor.com : While embracing the challenges of undergoing the latest overhaul with the Illini and new strategies in the face of COVID, Bielema found a way to work Zoom, allowing his personality and attention to detail to shine. They had on their Illini outfits. Bielema has talked . Mitch Trubisky threw for two scores and . CHAMPAIGN Bret Bielema and his wife already selected the lot in Champaign where they will build their house, and Bielema is living the bachelor life at this point, while laying the groundwork of the next Illini football regime. After inheriting a depleted roster and enduring a difficult first season, he led the Razorbacks to three consecutive bowl games, including victories against Texas in 2014 and Kansas State in 2015. Bielema was part of the 1990 Iowa team that won a share of the Big Ten title with Illinois. [11] A 3024 victory over the Fighting Illini on October 28, Bielema became the first coach in Wisconsin history to win eight games in his first season. He should probably have talked to players who he doesnt see as a fit for this program one-on-one to let them know, rather than air out his issues via the microphone. Illinois. Illinois' passing offense was the most improved in the nation,as the Illini ranked third in the nation in completion percentage (69.6%), a rise of 122 spots in the national rankings. [42] The salary makes him the ninth-highest paid head coach among the fourteen members of the Big Ten Conference. Rm5ld3MlMkZpbGxpbm9pcy1mb290YmFsbC1icmV0LWJpZWxlbWEtaGl0cy10 Sign up now and get a 30-day FREE trial. Seeing Bret and the girls together, playing games or doing daddy-daughter date night or hanging out in the office has brought Jen a much-needed sense of comfort. During his last season in Fayetteville in 2017, Arkansas as an athletic department underwent one of the ugliest seasons and transitions in years. We asked our @B1GFootball coaches, and some have thoughts on candy corn. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Antonio Fenelus will be joining Bret Bielema's staff at Illinois as the defensive backs coach. After two years as a graduate assistant and six seasons as linebacker coach at Iowa, Bielema spent two years as Co-Defensive Coordinator at Kansas State under Hall-of-Famer Bill Snyder, helping the Wildcats win the 2003 Big 12 Championship. [16] The award was given to Chizik. He was the first coach in Big Ten history to win 10 games in his first season, the first Wisconsin coach to win 11 games prior to a bowl game and became the third coach in NCAA history to win 12 games in his first season. Bret Bielema Pokes Fun At His Weight When Talking About Halloween Candy, Chase Elliott Out Several Weeks With Leg Fracture From Snowboard Accident, Wade Phillips Goes With Michael Scott Ageism Theory On Why Hes Not In The NFL. If he could be in two places at once, I know that he would love that, as many of us would. The Fighting Illini beat Minnesota, 26-14, on Saturday to move to 6-1 and become bowl-eligible. He wasthe outside linebackers coach and senior assistant for the New York Giants during the 2020 season. 5. The Badgers shared or won Big Ten championships three straight seasons from 2010-12 and he led Wisconsin to victories in the first two Big Ten championship games. Bret Bielema Tweeted A Response To A No-Call On An Apparent Pick Play In Michigan's Win Over Illinois. Illinois Fighting Illini news fromFanSided Daily, Illinois Football: 3 key numbers for the Illini to beat Minnesota, Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Minnesota, Illinois Football: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time, Illinois Football: Path for the Illini to win the Big Ten West, Manny Machado Swears Repeatedly on MLB Network During Padres Celebration, Illinois Football: Tommy DeVito has made the Illini offense dynamic. In 1998, Fry retired and was replaced by former Iowa offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz, who had briefly coached Bielema in offensive line sets during preparation for the 1988 Peach Bowl. Top two quarterbacks who played to this point are both transfers, right um, so there hasnt been any development at that position that is significantly playing right now.. Back in New Jersey, the girls were in preschool, which kept them occupied during the day and let Jen focus on the move, but after school got out, FaceTimes or phone calls to Bret were a constant. If things continue on the current trajectory, hes going to be up for a lot of awards. DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. On December 19, 2020, Bielema was announced as the next head coach at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, succeeding Lovie Smith. But Bret and Jen are used to plans changing on a limb. From 2006-12 Bielema was the head coach at Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to three Big Ten championships (2010-12), six consecutive . Arkansas, meanwhile, is on its second coach since Bielemas exit. In Football. Bret Bielema was named as the 26th Fighting Illini Head Football Coach in the history of the program in December 2020. They tried to bring in microwave players, and that is biting the Illini in the butt right now. Hes a bigger man, and he knows it. dmVyc2lvbgogICAgcy5zcmMgPSAiaHR0cHM6Ly9zLnlpbWcuY29tL2N4L3Z6 [4], Bielema returned to Iowa in 1994 to begin his coaching career under Fry as a graduate assistant. Get What You Asked For: Mets Fans Troll MLBs New Pitch Clock In Hilarious Fashion. The other two coaches to complete this feat were Philip King in 1896 and William Juneau in 1912. He would never want to make his girls more upset. mainly occupied by work, but he can now be a part of dinner conversations, read bedtime stories and even help with preschool pick ups every so often. Peyton Hillis spent more than a week in the hospital and was in intensive care and on a ventilator. The flagship home for #Illini sports. Bielema traveled with the Illini (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) and will . Illinois ledthe nation in scoring defense (12.8) for the first time in program history, led the nation and set a school record in interceptions (24), and rankedthird in total defense (273.5). "I'm talking about . With Illinois losing to Purdue last weekend, the Boilermakers hold a tiebreaker over the Illini. CHAMPAIGN, Illinois Illinois coach Bret Bielema has tested . Get the Daily OutKick and get smarter every day. In 1996, he was promoted to linebackers coach, a role he would hold until 2001. dy5fZGlkQXN5bmNJbmplY3RHb29nbGVUYWdNYW5hZ2VyID0gdHJ1ZTsKICAg With the NFL Combine underway, it's once again time for the country's best college football players to showcase their skills. And the jobs here that we have with our children, I mean, she knows more than anything how important those girls are to me. Under first-year offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, the Illinois offense made a leap forward behindAll-American running back Chase Brown, who finished fourth in the nation in rushing, and quarterback Tommy DeVito, who ranked third in the nation in completion percentage. Illinois coach Bret Bielema, right, will not coach this week's game against No. Like he said, does he look like a guy who doesnt like candy? Those little moments of fun Bret gets to share with his girls are so precious to a father who has such limited time with his family. Mar. A native of Prophetstown, Illinois, Bielema has 25 years of collegiate coaching experience and compiled a 14-year record of 110-70(.611) as head coach at Wisconsin,Arkansas, and Illinois. In July 2005, Alvarez announced he would retire after the 2005 season and become the Badger athletic director. Bielema coached Wisconsin to victories in 17 of his first 18 games. However, he's also capable of laughing about the fact he's a bigger man. Bret Bielema's roots can be traced to a rural community in western Illinois and a pig farm just a few miles outside of town. You know, men always want to wear the same shirt, same hats, the same shoes. The Illinois Fighting Illini have exceeded expectations under second-year head coach Bret Bielema this season. As the head coach entered his second season with the . Youll see me every day. So every time Im leaving them they think Im leaving for a long time.. Bielema graduated from Iowa in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in marketing. Bielema, who signed a six-year agreement in 2022 that will keep him at Illinoisthrough 2028,guided the Fighting Illinito an 8-5record in 2022 and led Illinois back to a bowl game in just his second season in Champaign. Also, Jim Harbaugh claiming Baby Ruth is the best candy is by far the correct answer. Illinois football coach Bret Bielema should stop trying to be funny. They beat Iowa and Wisconsin in the same season for the first time since 1989, and are rolling behind a stingy defense and productive offense. INDIANAPOLIS The last time Bret Bielema was in Lucas Oil Stadium, he was on top. The Badgers shared or won Big Ten championships three straight seasons from 2010-12 and he led Wisconsin to victories in the first two Big Ten championship games. aGUtZ3JvdW5kLXpvb21pbmciCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg The alternative would have been learning of the firing via social media or a group text message. Hopefully, this doesnt affect the program too much in a negative way, especially on the recruiting trail. Bret Bielema takes aim at referees during Illinois-Michigan game Grey Papke, Larry Brown Sports 11/19/2022 Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya Wade granted legal-name change, gender change in court MADISON - Watching former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema bring his second Illinois team into Camp Randall Stadium and leave with a stunningly easy 34-10 victory Saturday afternoon . In fact, their entire relationship has revolved around changes much bigger than a two-hour flight delay. 2023 University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, Outside Linebackers, Senior Assistant Coach. Please update it here. He simply tweeted, This isnt a good look. whether it be a postgame celebration at my house . No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. As for the fans and the Fighting Illini community, Bielema recognizes the shared hunger for success and he loves that they take part in celebrating the wins of the team. cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg Bret Bielema suddenly has No. I would imagine Bielema would want the players to keep in-house stuff in the locker room, as most coaches do. They shouldn't even vote on it. Illinois followed up their 72nd-ranked 2021 class with the 46th-ranked class of 2022. But where he said it was the issue. Please check your email for a confirmation. Alvarez also announced he had chosen Bielema as his successor, and would take over in 2006.[9]. In his senior season, after Iowa beat Iowa State 21-7, Bielema approached Iowa State head coach Jim Walden for a post-game handshake and said "Youre a big prick. Three B1G Spring Questions: Illinois. Bielema did not travel with the team to Iowa having contracting COVID-19, and the Illini lost to the Hawkeyes with wide receivers coach George McDonald serving as acting head coach. And she just embraced him. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. I started laughing because I was thinking the same thing. But Jen always sees that side of Bret, a side that has evolved throughout their marriage as the couple has watched their kids begin to grow up. JyZndG1fcHJldmlldz0nKydlbnYtMScrJyZndG1fY29va2llc193aW49eCc7 Columnist. Head coach Bret Bielema practically cleaned house at the conclusion of the 2021 season, a year that saw the Illini finish 5-7 and regain the Land of Lincoln trophy from Northwestern during . Because I know other people are going to talk about it. Bielema was a defensive lineman at Iowa from 1989-92, when he was a four-time letterman under Fry. She can sense it. Publisher @Zack_Carp. There is no doubt that Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema is the Big Ten Coach of the Year. 1674766405 . 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Our sister stations: @whms975 & @wkio1079. He was the head football coach at University of Arkansas from 2013 to 2017, tallying a mark of 2934. Sam Pittman, in his third season, is 4-3 after Saturdays 52-37 win against BYU. Not seeing his family since a short stay in New Jersey for Christmas, Bret hoped to hop on a plane by 7 a.m. and take a two-hour flight out to his family's . 24 Illinois looking like a Big Ten West contender in his second year since replacing Lovie Smith as the Illini's coach.. They're ranked for the first time since 2011. Click on the banner below to get started. Getty Images. CHAMPAIGN When Bret Bielema took over as Illinois football coach, he wanted to make one thing clear: He wants to turn the Illini into a consistent, regular winner. While the official box score showed a full capacity of 60,670, only 47,877 actually made it through the turnstiles to see the visiting Tar Heels win 38-23. So, the same should go for Bielema. The Illini lost their next game to Rutgers before upsetting Minnesota, then ranked #20 in the College Football Playoff poll. He previously covered recruiting and the team beat for Ohio State, Clemson, South Carolina and recruiting at the national level for three years. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Predict prospect commits with FanFutureCast, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf [52], Arkansas sports radio personality Bo Mattingly debuted a series featuring Bielema entitled 'Being Bret Bielema' on February 25, 2016.[53]. Three Illini defensive backs Devon Witherspoon . But with the girls being so young, theres still a layer of confusion and doubt that their father isnt here to stay. Sam Pittman (born November 28, 1961) is an American football coach who is the head football coach at the University of Arkansas.Prior to being hired at Arkansas, he was the associate head coach and offensive line coach at the University of Georgia.Prior to his hiring at Arkansas, Pittman spent almost his entire career, going back to the mid-1990s, as an offensive line coach at various college .