Inside Josh Whitman’s Planned Symmetry of Brad Underwood Recruiting Bret Bielema to Illinois

Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman said Monday he felt it was critical importance to have his football and men’s basketball coaches co-exist in the NIL era but work together in union and harmony.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

April 3, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

INDIANAPOLIS — Bret Bielema still remembers his first phone conversation with Brad Underwood before the Illinois football coach had mentally assured himself the Illini was right for him.

“Brad was one of the first people to reach out to me who was a non-administrator,” Bielema said on Monday before his team . . .

 

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