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May 3—***
Big Ten football followers know that Kirk Ferentz has been in charge at Iowa forever. Actually, 27 seasons. He is in a special category when it comes to career longevity.
While Illinois coach Bret Bielema isn't likely to go 27 seasons in Champaign-Urbana, he piling up a lengthy stay.
Bielema enters his sixth season running the program at First and Kirby. That is longer than the tenures of Lovie Smith, Bill Cubit, Tim Beckman, Lou Tepper and John Mackovic since 1980. Only Mike White (eight seasons) Ron Turner (eight) and Ron Zook (seven) had longer tenures than Bielema ... so far.
If Bielema fulfills his contract, he will zoom past the 10-year mark. That hasn't happened in the past 65 years, with Ray Eliot the most recent to stay a decade or longer.
Going through coaches year after year clearly didn't work. Only one of the exes since Eliot left of his choice: Mackovic, who was hired away by Texas.
When Bielema joined the Illinois program in 2021, athletic director Josh Whitman promised stability. With three bowl bids in five years and 10- and nine-win seasons that goal has been hit.
There is more to do, like reaching the College Football Playoff. but the program seems to be on the desired path.
Continue reading...
Big Ten football followers know that Kirk Ferentz has been in charge at Iowa forever. Actually, 27 seasons. He is in a special category when it comes to career longevity.
While Illinois coach Bret Bielema isn't likely to go 27 seasons in Champaign-Urbana, he piling up a lengthy stay.
Bielema enters his sixth season running the program at First and Kirby. That is longer than the tenures of Lovie Smith, Bill Cubit, Tim Beckman, Lou Tepper and John Mackovic since 1980. Only Mike White (eight seasons) Ron Turner (eight) and Ron Zook (seven) had longer tenures than Bielema ... so far.
If Bielema fulfills his contract, he will zoom past the 10-year mark. That hasn't happened in the past 65 years, with Ray Eliot the most recent to stay a decade or longer.
Going through coaches year after year clearly didn't work. Only one of the exes since Eliot left of his choice: Mackovic, who was hired away by Texas.
When Bielema joined the Illinois program in 2021, athletic director Josh Whitman promised stability. With three bowl bids in five years and 10- and nine-win seasons that goal has been hit.
There is more to do, like reaching the College Football Playoff. but the program seems to be on the desired path.
Continue reading...
