Bret Bielema
FILE - Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) rushes after making a catch to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, file photo. Johnson had 16 receptions for 254 yards and a team-high three touchdowns last year and has a shot to at least double his production in each category this season. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
14 Big Ten players poised to break out in 2021

By Eric Olson Apr. 26, 2021 04:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Illinois' new football coach Bret Bielema and his family were introduced to the media outside the Smith Center on UI campus in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 20 , 2020. Bielema saw a unique opportunity to accelerate a turnaround at Illinois when he returned to college football as head coach of the Illini in December. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP, File)
College football super seniors could change fortunes in 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 28, 2021 12:03 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. The National signing day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Terps' hope top-20 recruit class brings improvement on field

By Eric Olson Feb. 03, 2021 06:28 PM EST

SMU names veteran coach Leavitt as new defensive coordinator

Jan. 27, 2021 05:33 PM EST
DALLAS (AP) — Veteran coach Jim Leavitt has been named defensive coordinator at SMU. It is the fourth college for Leavitt as a defensive...

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 file photo, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema gets choked up as the senior players are introduced before the start of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. It's going on 40 days since Bret Bielema was announced as Illinois' football coach, and since then he's assembled a staff, met returning players, recruited new ones, convinced a top player to pull his name out of the transfer portal and made the rounds getting to know administrators and alumni. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
New Illini coach Bielema says he doesn't want to wait to win

Jan. 27, 2021 05:02 PM EST

Quarterback Peters to return for 3rd season at Illinois

Dec. 29, 2020 02:45 PM EST
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters will return for a third season with the Illini and play for new coach Bret Bielema, the team...

University of Illinois' new football coach Bret Bielema and his family were introduced to the media outside the Smith Center on UI campus in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 20 , 2020. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP)
New Illinois coach to make homegrown talent a priority

By Terry Towery Dec. 21, 2020 05:45 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2017 file photo, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema wipes away tears as the senior players are introduced for the team's NCAA college football game against Missouri in Fayetteville, Ark. Bielema is returning to the Big Ten and his home state to coach Illinois. Illinois hired the former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach, hoping he can turn around a program with nine straight losing seasons. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Missouri at Arkansas 11/24/2017

Dec. 19, 2020 09:51 AM EST

FILE - In this Nov 24, 2017 file photo, Bret Bielema speaks with reporters beneath Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. Bielema is returning to the Big Ten and his home state to coach Illinois. Illinois hired the former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach, hoping he can turn around a program with nine straight losing seasons. (AP Photo/Kelly P. Kissel)
Illinois hires Bielema as coach to lift struggling program

By Andy Seligman Dec. 19, 2020 09:13 AM EST

Mississippi defensive lineman LeDarrius Cox, front left, recovers an Arkansas fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas forces seven turnovers, beats Ole Miss 33-21

By Eric W. Bolin Oct. 17, 2020 07:32 PM EDT

Arkansas defensive backs Simeon Blair (15) and Hudson Clark (17) break up a pass intended for Mississippi State wide receiver JaVonta Payton (0) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Arkansas won 21-14. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Arkansas snaps 20-game SEC skid, 21-14 vs. Mississippi St.

By R.j. Morgan Oct. 04, 2020 12:28 AM EDT

Ex-Arkansas football coach Bielema sues Razorback Foundation

Jun. 12, 2020 06:49 PM EDT
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Former Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema, now an assistant with the New York Giants, has filed a $7 million lawsuit against the...

Karl Dorrell, right, is congratulated by athletic dirtector Rick George at a news conference to announce that Dorrell is the new NCAA college head football coach at Colorado during a news conference Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Homecoming: Karl Dorrell returns to Boulder as head coach

By Pat Graham Feb. 24, 2020 05:47 PM EST

Arizona hires Rhoads as defensive coordinator

Dec. 20, 2019 11:17 PM EST
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona has hired former Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads as its defensive coordinator. The school announced Rhoads'...

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 1993, file photo, Iowa football coach Hayden Fry is carried off the field after his team defeated Minnesota in an NCAA college football game, giving him his 200th career victory in Iowa City, Iowa. Fry, the Texan who revived Iowa football and became a Hawkeye State institution, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, after a long battle with cancer. He was 90. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Hayden Fry, Texan who turned around Iowa, dies at 90

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 17, 2019 09:34 PM EST

Coach Sam Pittman, right, and Hunter Yurachek, director of athletics, pose for pictures Monday, Dec. 9, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas introduced former Georgia assistant Sam Pittman as its new head football coach. Pittman had a previous stop as an assistant with the Razorbacks and has spent much of his coaching career in the SEC. (Charlie Kaijo/The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP)
Emotional Pittman introduced as new Arkansas coach

Chip Souza Dec. 09, 2019 09:29 PM EST

Arkansas hires Georgia assistant Pittman as new head coach

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 08, 2019 07:38 PM EST
Arkansas hired Georgia assistant Sam Pittman as its head coach Sunday, giving the longtime offensive line coach his first chance to lead a college program. ...

Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak carries the ball against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Powell, Missouri snap 5-game skid with win over Arkansas

By Eric W. Bolin Nov. 29, 2019 06:15 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2013, file photo, then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano reacts on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Schiano will not be returning to Rutgers because the school and its former football coach were unable to come to an agreement on a deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither side wanted to make the negotiations public. Schiano spent 11 seasons at Rutgers before leaving for the NFL in 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)
Failure to rehire Schiano as coach has Rutgers fans upset

By Tom Canavan Nov. 25, 2019 07:15 PM EST

AP source: Schiano, Rutgers can’t reach deal on return

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 24, 2019 06:02 PM EST
Greg Schiano won’t be returning to Rutgers because the school and its former football coach were unable to come to an agreement on a deal, a person familiar...