Bret Bielema‘s team climbed to No.9 (Associated Press ranking) this week, which marks the program’s first appearance in the top 10 in nearly two decades. Back in 2020, people were surprised when Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman took a chance on Bret Bielema. But his influence has been undeniable. The team is 2-0 in the third week of the 2025 season, has already scored close to 100 points, forced turnovers, and is moving up the rankings at a rapid pace.

Fans are rallying behind the new energy and identity he has brought to the program. The excitement grew even stronger when businessman and alumnus Larry Gies pledged $100 million to the athletic department, the largest donation in Illinois athletics history. The stadium will be renamed in honor of his late father, a U.S. Army veteran, as Gies Memorial Stadium. But Larry’s involvement goes beyond just numbers.

In a recent interview with Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports, Illinois AD Whitman opened up about the friendship between HC and Larry Gies, which extends well past being just a donor to the program.“He’s been very involved with football… he’s got a great relationship with coach.[Bielema]” The trust that has been established is the most amazing aspect of this collaboration. “The money is not restricted within use for football or the stadium. Larry trusts us to use those dollars as we think is most appropriate,” Whitman said.

He added, “As long as he felt like he had a chance to make an impact, then he was going to step forward with the dollars… If we were able to put a compelling vision in front of him of how he could be as impactful as possible, we felt like the money would follow.” This makes it obvious that Gies’ responsibility extends beyond the financial support, he is a part of the team’s culture and journey.

“When Larry creates a partnership, he pours himself into it, which is just something that is really special about him… He’s on a first-name basis with some of our players,” he stated. Larry takes out time to build relationships with students, and makes sure players do feel comfortable in approaching him. Larry’s involvement goes way beyond just talking to players, he is also helping them grow beyond football. “He’s talking to some of our student athletes about their futures and their careers…In some cases, he’s even hired some of our student athletes to be interns with Madison Industries, his company,” he added, implying that Larry is not just focused on building facilities, he wants to change lives through the program.

$200 million and a collective effort behind Illinois’ breakthrough

Looking back, it’s hard not to be impressed with how far Illinois athletics has come. “When I came here now almost 10 years ago, I think our total budget was somewhere in the neighborhood of $95 million. This year in FY26, I expect we’ll approach, if not exceed $200 million,” the AD shared about the program’s evolution. The growth seems incredible as the numbers have doubled on paper in ten years. That sort of expansion is changing everything, from improving facilities to giving student-athletes more opportunities.

However, it’s not just the financial support that’s bringing an impact. Fans also play a key part in this success story. “We’re also seeing the largest increase in college football in our average attendance…We’re seeing three sellouts for the first time in however many years.” The excitement is contagious; fans are returning to the stadium in record numbers, supporting the team, and packing the stands. It’s not just for football, either. Even the basketball program is running “at nearly 100% capacity,” as record numbers of supporters and donors have stepped up.

He shared a story that captures the very spirit of this movement and shows gratitude to everyone who has supported the program. “Every time they bought a sweatshirt, every time they made a gift, every time they bought a ticket, every time somebody did something to support this program, they took the sledgehammer in their hands and they took their turn swinging against that boulder,” he shared. That collective effort is what’s helped Illinois set new goals. And this isn’t just about wins or numbers; it’s about being part of something greater, where every person feels a sense of ownership in the rise.