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Illinois head coach Bret Bielema reveals message to team before Iowa game in his absence
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After Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was sent into isolation with a positive COVID-19 test this week, the Illini coach went into lockdown in a Champaign area Aribnb.
A plan had always been in place in case the problem arose but nobody wants to have to use it. According to Bielema not much changes, aside from him being there. And the coach sent along a message to his team, “nothing really changes on game day.”
#illini Bret Bielema said on FS1 that today is "unchartered waters" and said it's "been a wave of emotions."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 20, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema on message to team: "We always talk about next man up. …Nothing really changes on game day."
Said again John Marinelli and Pat Ryan will help manage the game.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 20, 2021
The plan provides for staffers to help in communication on the sidelines, but coordinators will essentially handle the game for each side of the ball. This is definitely new territory for a coach in the B1G, but Bielema is taking a cue from the NFL. Saturday will be spent in the “Bret Cave” with about five TV’s, including the laptop, a fully stocked refrigerator and a couch.
The plan was put in place when he arrived as a coach a year ago, but with the Illini facing No. 19 Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City and a team that needs two wins to become bowl eligible, it’s not the ideal situation.
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.