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Bret Bielema zeroing in on target for Illinois OC job, per report
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Bret Bielema is aiming to make a quick move at Illinois, trying to pivot quickly after a reported moving Tuesday.
According to that report, Bielema was firing OC Tony Petersen after the first year of a 3-year deal with the Illini. Now, Bielema is aiming for a former assistant of his.
According to Zach Barnett with FootballScoop.com, Bielema has targeted his search on Barry Lunney Jr. Lunney is currently the OC, Assistant Head Coach, and QBs coach at UT San Antonio. He was previously the TE coach for Bielema during his head coaching days at Arkansas.
Barnett also reported that Lunney is currently in Champaign as of Tuesday evening. Bielema was able to see Lunney’s offense up close and personal this season as the Roadrunners beat the Illini during 2021.
It will be interesting to see if a reunion is in store for Bielema and Lunney. And if it is, how that affects the offense for 2022.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.