Illinois has found its next head coach, announcing the hiring of Bret Bielema early Saturday morning.

Bielema spent 2018-19 as an NFL assistant within the New England Patriots organization and was an assistant with the New York Giants in 2020. Before that, he was the head coach at Arkansas from 2013-17.

Bielema is best known for his seven-year stint as head coach at Wisconsin. During that window, he captured three B1G titles and compiled 68 wins for the Badgers.

On Saturday, Illinois announced the hiring and revealed that Bielema will have a six-year contract to begin his tenure. The starting salary will be for $4.2 million annually and Bielema will begin his duties immediately, including being on hand for Illinois’ game at Penn State on Saturday:

Bielema’s initial contract is for six years beginning with an annual salary of $4.2 million. He will begin his duties at Illinois immediately and will attend the game Saturday (Dec. 19) as a guest of Whitman’s when Illinois plays at Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania.

Best of luck to Bielema as he begins his time at the helm for the Illini!