When Bret Bielema took the reins in Champaign back in 2021, there were plenty of questions about whether the former Arkansas and Wisconsin head coach could revive a program that had been stuck in neutral for years. Fast forward five seasons, and the results speak for themselves. With 37 wins under his belt - including an impressive 19 over the last two seasons - Bielema has not only made Illinois competitive again, he’s pushed them into the national conversation.
Let’s put this into perspective: over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Illinois is tied for 12th among Power Four programs in total wins. That’s not just a nice stat - it’s a statement.
The Illini’s 19 victories over that span put them ahead of some of the sport’s biggest names, including Tennessee, Clemson, Michigan, LSU, and Oklahoma. Yes, you read that right - Illinois has outpaced multiple College Football Playoff teams over the past two years.
What Bielema has done isn’t just a turnaround - it’s a full-on rebuild with results. Illinois is now sitting shoulder to shoulder with Texas A&M, a team that earned the No. 7 seed in this year’s expanded College Football Playoff after an 11-1 regular season. And while the Illini didn’t crack the playoff field themselves, they’ve built a résumé that demands respect.
Last season, Illinois posted a 10-3 record, capped off by a bowl win over then-No. 15 South Carolina.
That victory wasn’t just a feather in their cap - it was a sign that Bielema’s squad could hang with ranked opponents on the national stage. This year, they followed it up with a 9-3 regular season and another bowl win, this time taking down the Tennessee Volunteers in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.
That’s back-to-back seasons with bowl wins over SEC programs - not something you see every day from a team that, not long ago, was fighting just to reach .500.
And here’s the kicker: Illinois has done all this while staying just outside the playoff picture, yet outperforming teams that did get in. Tennessee, Clemson, and Oklahoma - all playoff teams in at least one of the past two years - finished behind Illinois in total wins over that same stretch. That’s a testament not only to Bielema’s coaching but to the consistency and culture he’s instilled in Champaign.
Illinois fans have every reason to be excited. The program isn’t just trending upward - it’s already arrived at a new tier of competitiveness.
With a strong foundation, a proven head coach, and momentum on their side, the Fighting Illini are no longer a surprise. They’re a problem - and one that Big Ten and national opponents alike will have to deal with moving forward.
What comes next? That’s the fun part. Because if the last two seasons are any indication, Illinois isn’t done climbing.