Bret Bielema was the perfect head coaching hire for the Illinois football program.
I am not just saying this because Bielema helped lead the Illini to the best season since the Rose Bowl run in 2007. While that is a reason, it is not the only reason.
The ability to understand what recruiting means to a program is something that has caught my eye. I formed that last sentence carefully because the previous coaching regime had a great eye for talent, and I don’t want that to get lost.
Devon Witherspoon wasn’t rated or ranked and Illinois was his only power-five scholarship offer.