Illini turn to Bret Bielema to keep building in Big Ten
Illinois linebacker Owen Carney talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Illinois linebacker Owen Carney talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Jul. 22, 2021 04:15 PM EDT
Illinois center Doug Kramer talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Illinois center Doug Kramer talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Jul. 22, 2021 04:16 PM EDT
University of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

University of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Jul. 22, 2021 11:57 AM EDT
FILE - In this July 22, 2021, file photo, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Illinois opens its season Aug. 28 against Nebraska. All eyes will be on new Illinois coach Bielema, who had a successful run at Wisconsin before leaving for a job at Arkansas. Now he is back in the Big Ten. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)

FILE - In this July 22, 2021, file photo, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Illinois opens its season Aug. 28 against Nebraska. All eyes will be on new Illinois coach Bielema, who had a successful run at Wisconsin before leaving for a job at Arkansas. Now he is back in the Big Ten. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)

Aug. 16, 2021 04:28 PM EDT
Illinois offensive tackle Vederian Lowe talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Illinois offensive tackle Vederian Lowe talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Jul. 22, 2021 04:16 PM EDT