Former Wisconsin football head coach Bret Bielema and the Illinois Fighting Illini have agreed to a new six-year contract that extends through the 2030 season, according to a release. The deal is worth $7.7 million annually, plus it includes retention incentives that begin at $700,000 and increase each year. The $7.7 million figure would rank No. 20 among all college football head coaches last season, according to USA TODAY's salary database . It is more than a $1 million raise from his previous $6.65 million annual contract. Bielema is now 28-22 in four years at Illinois. His 10-3 2024 campaign tied the program record for wins, one it had previously achieved only in 1902, 1983 and 2001. Looking ahead to 2025 , he has the Illini potentially set for an even further breakthrough. A veteran returning team and a manageable schedule combine to create College Football Playoff-level expectations. The program's current success under Bielema is a significant departure from its standing under its previous five head coaches. Lovie Smith (2016-20) failed to register a winning season during his tenure, Bill Cubit (2015) went 5-7 in his only year in charge, Tim Beckman (2012-14) went 12-25 in his three years at the helm, Ron Zook (2005-11) registered two winning seasons in seven years and, finally, Ron Turner (1997-2004) also totaled just two winning seasons. Bielema is over .500 through four years with two winning seasons and two respectable 5-7 finishes. His team's 2024 breakthrough raises the expectations for the rest of his tenure. While these contracts are rarely played out in full, he's now locked up through the rest of the decade. Bielema went 68-24 in seven years at Wisconsin from 2006-12. That run included two Rose Bowl trips and two Big Ten titles. Since taking the Illinois job in 2021, the veteran head coach is 1-1 against his former program. That includes a 34-10 win in 2022, Paul Chryst's last game with the Badgers , and a 25-21 loss in 2023. The Badgers and Fighting Illini will meet at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 22 this season. The game is projected to be key to Wisconsin's quest for bowl eligibility. Much more may be at stake for Illinois, which could be looking for an at-large CFP berth.
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