MADISON, Wis. — Former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Bret Bielema is returning to the Big Ten.
The University of Illinois announced Bielema as its new football coach with a press release on Saturday. Bielema takes over for Lovie Smith, who was fired after going 17-39 in five seasons.
Bielema coached the Badgers from 2006 to 2012, winning three Big Ten championships and compiling a 68-24 record before leaving Madison to become the coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Bielema was fired at Arkansas following the 2017 season after going 29-34 in five seasons.
Bielema has spent the last three years working as an assistant coach in the NFL, first for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots and most recently for the New York Giants.
The University of Illinois says Bielema signed a six-year contract and will join the team immediately, attending today’s game against Penn State.
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