QUOTABLES: Bret Bielema’s first press conference as head coach

University of Illinois AthleticsBret Bielema was officially announced as the next head coach of Illinois football on Saturday morning. AD Josh Whitman introduced him during a press conference on Monday. Here’s what Bielema had to say:

On becoming head coach:

As a native of Illinois who was born at Illini hospital, things have come full-circle.

The blueprint and the facilities that are already at Illinois added to his excitement.

Taught his daughters the “I-L-L”, “I-N-I” saying.

He held a team meeting that was broken up into meetings with seniors.

It was surreal to walk through the halls of the facilities at Illinois. He has coached and played at Memorial Stadium, but this was his first time in…