Brett Nielema’s role at Illinois has been murky amid a constantly changing staff, but that was until now. Illinois is not in the same place it used to be a few years ago, as the roster looks a bit steadier and the QB transition after Luke Altmyer didn’t descend into chaos. The expectations have risen with wins stacking up. However, the staff side is still in motion, and that’s where Bielema’s role as the Fighting Illini coach lies.

When Bret Bielema arrived in Champaign, he brought an NFL-style organizational model. It was one he hadn’t used at the college level before, with separate personnel departments. One department is focused on college players, while another is on high school recruiting. And he was blunt about his role when talking to On3’s Andy Staples. 

“I kind of run our coaches,” he said. “I coach my coaches, but I’m not involved in a lot of game plan things. But personnel I’m heavily involved in… Our building is set up on retention, removal, and acquisition. That’s exactly why we are very similar to the NFL.”

Bielema isn‘t dabbling in NFL language for optics. He’s describing a system where the head coach is the focal point, not necessarily the coordinator-in-chief, as it also explains why he’s been so firm about not calling defensive plays himself, even with Aaron Henry gone. Bielema’s role matters heavily right now because Illinois has three staff openings and a defensive overhaul coming.

Illinois needs a DC, an RBs coach, and a special teams/TEs coach. For a Big Ten program that’s won 19 games over the last two seasons, Bret Bielema said he’s had around 50 people reach out about the DC job. And he made it clear that those are not the same 50 names that were interested when he took over before the 2021 season.

Aaron Henry’s exit was awkward timing-wise, but not messy. He’s been with Bret Bielema at three different stops and is now headed to Notre Dame to coach the secondary and co-coordinate under Marcus Freeman. Instead of blocking the opportunity, Bielema actually waived a significant part of Henry’s buyout to make it happen.

RBs coach Thad Ward wasn’t on Bret Bielema’s original Illinois staff, but he became a trusted piece, especially given his close relationship with Collin Klein. When Kansas State Klein, Bielema said he felt it coming.

Top Stories

Drake Maye Reveals Shoulder Injury Update as Patriots QB Announces News On Super Bowl Availability

Dak Prescott Officially Puts Jerry Jones & Cowboys on Notice, Threatens Action on George Pickens Contract

NFL Sends Muted Warning to Bad Bunny Before Super Bowl Halftime Performance Amid ICE Controversy

Rob Gronkowski Demands Severe Punishment for Andy Reid After Bill Belichick Snub

Travis Kelce Makes Sporting Return as Teammate Gives Update on Chiefs TE’s Retirement

PGA Tour Split Into Two as Scottie Scheffler Confirms Stance on Patrick Reed’s Return

Robby Discher’s move to Ohio State forced another adjustment. Bret Bielema had planned to split TEs and special teams into separate roles. But Discher wanted to keep both. And when Ryan Day called, the decision made itself.

Bret Bielema teases changes in defense

At Wednesday night’s press conference, Bret Bielema addressed the DC opening again, and this time, he added a direction. He stated outright that he’s focusing on getting a play-caller, someone who owns the defense and someone who can be trusted to run it independently.

“You can’t be the head coach and call it, in my opinion,” he said. “I want to turn this over to somebody, so that I can literally do exactly what I’ve been doing offensively, and at times defensively… just let that person run it.”

What he teased was a schematic shift coming in 2026, something Illinois hadn’t seen before that relates to a scheme and a package influenced by the NFL.

“I’m making a transition from the current system,” he said. “I can’t announce until after the Super Bowl, but the intention of what I have in mind and where I’m going will play out next week.”

The head coach did say he’d be learning the scheme alongside the new coordinator. His comments indicate Illinois’s need of the hour: a coordinator who can fit into the top-down structure Bret Bielema already controls.