Illini head coach Bret Bielema was the first of many coaches at Big Ten media day to field questions from the media. The questions varied but mostly focused on the program’s future, his love of the program and of course, the new Barbie movie.
The first question was in relation to how the coaching staff is working on promoting a welcoming culture in the locker room, especially for players.
Bielema’s response was based on the way the program has orientation and involves players.
“One of the things that’s really unique in college football right now is that there used to be an influx of freshman,” Bielema said. “But now, we do a program orientation in June when we get new arrivals but also in January and June. We really get our players involved.”
Bielema also emphasized his belief that players want to be there, which strongly promotes the culture of the program.
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“I know at one point when we went into recruiting season, we were tied for the second-fewest number of players to enter the transfer portal,” Bielema said. “That tells me that kids like being in our program, they like the way they’ve been treated and the way they get coached.”
Bielema added on with a shoutout to former Illini defensive back Devon Witherspoon, who was drafted with the No. 5 pick by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
“Then take a player who had only started five games when we got there. He was an unranked player and didn’t even have a star,” Bielema said. “He became the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft, I think that opens people’s eyes.”
Bielema was asked about his belief in the program and about his commitment to the program.
“I didn’t want to go to a situation where I didn’t think it could be sustained,” Bielema said. “I wanted this to be my last rodeo, and signed a contract that has a no-compete clause with anybody in the Big 10, because I found my home. I know where I want to go and to walk that walk every day with Josh (Whitman).”
Lastly, Bielema was asked about the Barbie movie, which he seemed to enjoy answering.
“I see a lot of Barbies, I have a six-year-old and four-year-old,” Bielema said. “We had a tooth fairy show up the other day, and the [going-rate] was 20 bucks. These days, I could not believe that price, but we bought a lot of Barbie stuff, and I don’t really get to talk a lot of Barbie. I’m sure we’re going to see it.”
Bielema is a veteran at media day, with it being his 15th time making the rounds as a head coach. This year was no different, aside from the Barbie question.
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