Bielema Trolls SEC at Big Ten Football Media Day: “They want to live in 2005 forever”

After Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti spent nearly 30 minutes of his podium time trying to stamp out a Big Ten-SEC rivalry fire, Bret Bielema quickly added some lighter fluid.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

July 28, 2026

CHICAGO — Nearly two decades ago, Bret Bielema was a young, inexperienced head coach at Wisconsin that was content with standing back and watching then-commissioner Jim Delany and Joe Paterno have screaming matches at Big Ten Conference’s annual football media day.

On Tuesday, Bielema, who is starting his 18th season as a college football head coach, 13th season . . .

 

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