Former Wisconsin and current Illinois coach Bret Bielema is one of college football’s winningest active Power Four coaches entering the 2024 season.
His 115 wins rank 7th overall, behind only North CarolineMack Brown (276 wins), IowaKirk Ferentz (196), LSUBrian Kelly (186), ClemsonOklahoma State’s Dabo Swinney (170), Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy (166) and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham (162).
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Bielema recorded 68 of those wins during his seven-year stint with the Wisconsin Badgers from 2006-2012. He had an overall record of 68-24, good for a .739 winning percentage.
His eight years of coaching since leaving the Badgers before the 2012 Rose Bowl haven’t been nearly as successful. He went 29-34 in five years at Arkansas before taking three years off, going from 18 to 19 in his first three years at Illinois.
Bielema’s record at Wisconsin: 68-24 (.739)
Bielema’s record since leaving Wisconsin: 47-53 (.470)
Regardless, the former Badger coach is one of the longest active coaches in the sport. He must now prove in Illinois that he can succeed outside of Madison, Wisconsin, or that the term may not extend much longer.
Other coaches who will soon surpass Bielema on the active wins list include Penn StateJames Franklin (112 wins), NC State’s Dave Doeren (104) and UCF’s Gus Malzahn (101).
Current Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell, for reference, has 71 career wins.
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