Bret Bielema Intro Press Conference

#102      

bluemountain

B
bluemountain
ChiefGritty said:
If you really want to make the case against Zook, Florida failed to win at least 9 games only three times between 1990 and 2009 - Zook's three years there.

On the flip side, Zook's recruiting performance as Florida HC was nothing short of an A+, which can't just be ignored, especially in the SEC. And he did beat a bunch of really good teams, though the same is true of Bielema. And you're right, they both peaked at the same win number, which given Zook's advantages speaks volumes.

It's a fun argument.
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In terms of recruiting, Zook absolutely lit it up at Florida. One of Zook's under-rated skills is his ability to spot talent. Yes, he could recruit the 5*'s successfully, but he could also identify and bring in the under-rated 3* players like Vontae Davis. Couldn't manage a program, couldn't develop talent, couldn't coach, but was a flat out superstar recruiter
 
#103      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
bluemountain said:
In terms of recruiting, Zook absolutely lit it up at Florida. One of Zook's under-rated skills is his ability to spot talent. Yes, he could recruit the 5*'s successfully, but he could also identify and bring in the under-rated 3* players like Vontae Davis. Couldn't manage a program, couldn't develop talent, couldn't coach, but was a flat out superstar recruiter
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He was a garbage special teams coordinated for the Packers, too. Maybe Bielema should re-hire him in a recruiting-only roll.

I recall on one of the various forums during the Zook days, there was a user who had a signature added to his posts that just said: "Ron Zook could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in a wedding dress."
 
#105      

Boomauer

Boomauer
Boomauer
Fighter of the Nightman said:
As others have alluded to, it’s the fact that he knows what he’s doing and willing took this job, knowing the risks and seemingly EXCITED to take them on, that has me so optimistic. This job - high ceiling with VERY little recent success of any kind - requires passion and energy. BB seems pumped to prove he can bring us to respectability, and that is all we can expect right now.
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Agreed...passion and energy required. Was hoping for younger coach with natural red bull flowing thru his veins with PJ Fleck-like energy minus the BS. I really like BB so hope he has that energy at 50...and maintains the passion as he hits the bumps and roadblocks that will surely come along on this project he's taken on. Of course, I would hope that 4.2 million and all the resources at his disposal...would help him find that energy and passion.😎
 
#106      

orange100

orange100
time to hop on the wife
orange100
Illiniwek66 said:
Only disappointment was that he did not mention what food would be served after a win...
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BB on his 2016 ESPN special said that at Arkansas they had a Sunday night team dinner. If they had won Saturday, they had steaks and lobster. If they lost, hot dogs and mac and cheese.
 
#107      

altgeld88

altgeld88
Arlington, Virginia
altgeld88
orange100 said:
BB on his 2016 ESPN special said that at Arkansas they had a Sunday night team dinner. If they had won Saturday, they had steaks and lobster. If they lost, hot dogs and mac and cheese.
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It's not really a good idea to deprive your players of protein after they lose. Perhaps replace hot dogs with liver-and-whey shakes. That will get their attention quickly.
 
#108      

GForce

GForce
GForce
From Illinois' perspective, the best thing that could've happened to Bielema is getting fired from Arkansas. It seems to have scraped a lot of the hubrus off him, and led to 3 years of pro experience where he's worked with some really smart NFL coaches with different scheme perspectives, which (we'll hopefully see) has opened up his thinking and given him fresh ideas.
 
#109      

WhiteRhino

WhiteRhino
WhiteRhino
I know this is sappy and really meathead-y, but after watching so many coaches (in both FB & BB) who grew up in Illinois go off and have great success in other places, it's nice to finally have someone coaching Illinois who grew up in the state as an Illini fan...who also has a proven track record as a professional coach. And it's comforting to hear a new Illinois coach introduced who doesn't pronounce the "s"
 
#110      

BRucks

BRucks
BRucks
Chilliniwek said:
Just watched the presser and I'm impressered! I grew up about two hours south of Prophetstown in farm country and very much like him in many ways, so his comments about growing up with a work ethic really hit home with me. I too was a douchebag until about 40 years old, and then I finally got it after being fired a couple of times, without cause. I'm all in with Bret, I think he's gonna do great, and we all want him to succeed, right. Two other things. #1. I can't find any story about why the younger version of Bret, who grew up wanting to be an Illini, went to Iowa. Anyone know why? Was he not good enough to play here, like Aaron Rodgers? #2. Body shaming or making fun of anyone who doesn't look like what would be considered normal, isn't funny, even on here. It's truly the lowest form of attempted humor there is. Can we just give that up? Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, whatever works for all of you, and let's look forward to a better year than this!
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Hayden Fry
 
#111      

IlliniKat91

IlliniKat91
Chicago, IL
IlliniKat91
ChiefGritty said:
They had the same AD and both coordinators for 12 years, 2008-2019. All three are now gone. That no longer looks like a promote from within scenario.

Personally, I am convinced a backroom deal was cooked up with the Bears to hand Fitz the keys around the time of the Green Bay loss (thus everyone jumping ship in Evanston), and that this Mitch resurgence is currently destroying everyone's plans and creating a huge mess, that will somehow harm the Bears and the Illini because that's how life works.
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The only good thing about Fitz ending up as the Bears coach is that he'd have to wear O&B and like it.

I really don't want to see him on the Bears' sideline, but I'd love to see him out of NU. It's a Catch-22 for me. That being said, I think BB gives us a chance to start beating NU consistently again.
 
#112      

Illini-Rule

I
Illini-Rule
Chilliniwek said:
Just watched the presser and I'm impressered! I grew up about two hours south of Prophetstown in farm country and very much like him in many ways, so his comments about growing up with a work ethic really hit home with me. I too was a douchebag until about 40 years old, and then I finally got it after being fired a couple of times, without cause. I'm all in with Bret, I think he's gonna do great, and we all want him to succeed, right. Two other things. #1. I can't find any story about why the younger version of Bret, who grew up wanting to be an Illini, went to Iowa. Anyone know why? Was he not good enough to play here, like Aaron Rodgers? #2. Body shaming or making fun of anyone who doesn't look like what would be considered normal, isn't funny, even on here. It's truly the lowest form of attempted humor there is. Can we just give that up? Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, whatever works for all of you, and let's look forward to a better year than this!
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I've read that neither Iowa nor Illinois offered him a scholarship. He walked on at Iowa won a scholarship with his play. Good for him. My initial thoughts are and keep in mind this is only speculation. But Iowa is a much easier school to get into than Illinois from a scholastic standard. Keep in mind that back when BB was in school, I think it was even more difficul to get approved. Not to take anything away from BB's intelligence. Many very smart, good students have been turned down by Illinois. Also back in BB's day they didn't have the SAT & ACT study guides and classes to help get higher scores. Just my speculation, so take it with a grain of salt.
 
#113      

Pikeillinifan

Pikeillinifan
Pikeillinifan
Illini-Rule said:
I've read that neither Iowa nor Illinois offered him a scholarship. He walked on at Iowa won a scholarship with his play. Good for him. My initial thoughts are and keep in mind this is only speculation. But Iowa is a much easier school to get into than Illinois from a scholastic standard. Keep in mind that back when BB was in school, I think it was even more difficul to get approved. Not to take anything away from BB's intelligence. Many very smart, good students have been turned down by Illinois. Also back in BB's day they didn't have the SAT & ACT study guides and classes to help get higher scores. Just my speculation, so take it with a grain of salt.
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I’m almost as old as BB and we had study guides for the act/sat. We had practice tests too - nothing like today but we prepped a lot.
 
#114      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Illini-Rule said:
I've read that neither Iowa nor Illinois offered him a scholarship. He walked on at Iowa won a scholarship with his play. Good for him. My initial thoughts are and keep in mind this is only speculation. But Iowa is a much easier school to get into than Illinois from a scholastic standard. Keep in mind that back when BB was in school, I think it was even more difficul to get approved. Not to take anything away from BB's intelligence. Many very smart, good students have been turned down by Illinois. Also back in BB's day they didn't have the SAT & ACT study guides and classes to help get higher scores. Just my speculation, so take it with a grain of salt.
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Seems unlikely. I'm quite certain players less intelligent than BB are always on the roster.
 
#115      

orange100

orange100
time to hop on the wife
orange100
If you haven't found it yet, take an hour or 2 and watch the "Being Bret Bielema" episodes on YouTube. Made when he was Arkansas' coach and came out in 2016. Some were used for the ESPN special, others were produced but did not make the final cut. Quite a glimpse into his life at that point.
 
#116      

Ander1345

A
Ander1345
IlliniKat91 said:
The only good thing about Fitz ending up as the Bears coach is that he'd have to wear O&B and like it.

I really don't want to see him on the Bears' sideline, but I'd love to see him out of NU. It's a Catch-22 for me. That being said, I think BB gives us a chance to start beating NU consistently again.
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I think he would be an excellent fit for the Bears. Not a fan of NU obviously but it's hard to not recognize that he would probably succeed.

But the Bears are going to win just enough to retain Nagy and settle for 8-8 going "but he went 12-4 once!"
 
#117      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
orange100 said:
If you haven't found it yet, take an hour or 2 and watch the "Being Bret Bielema" episodes on YouTube. Made when he was Arkansas' coach and came out in 2016. Some were used for the ESPN special, others were produced but did not make the final cut. Quite a glimpse into his life at that point.
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That sounds like 2 hours I won't be able to get back.
 
#119      

IlliniKat91

IlliniKat91
Chicago, IL
IlliniKat91
Ander1345 said:
I think he would be an excellent fit for the Bears. Not a fan of NU obviously but it's hard to not recognize that he would probably succeed.

But the Bears are going to win just enough to retain Nagy and settle for 8-8 going "but he went 12-4 once!"
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Congrats. You're a bigger person than me. I don't want to see Fitz on the Bears' sideline, but I'm petty like that. I know, it's a character flaw.
 
#123      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
TMC999 said:
Never in my lifetime would I think we’d say that phrase. Lovie’s tenure increased the streak from L1 to L6 vs those nerds. Oye...
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The #1 most upsetting Lovie game is surely the 63-0, but a very close second is the total no-show at home against an 0-8 in conference Northwestern team that would have given us our first winning regular season and first winning Big Ten season since 2007.