He would never want to make his girls more upset. On November 24, 2017, Bielema was fired after five seasons as Arkansas's head coach following a 4845 loss at home to the Missouri Tigers. The Razorbacks twice led by 14, but lost both leads. Razorbacks dubbed "losers" by one national writer after staff changes ahead of (). #ILL #HTTO #famILLy. Head Coach Bret Bielema, Chase Brown (2) Illinois Fighting Illini Football vs. Wisconsin - 10/1/2022. You're . Hopefully, this doesnt affect the program too much in a negative way, especially on the recruiting trail. A culture-builder for coach Bret Bielema -- an assistant in New England prior to taking the job at Illinois -- you can tell Witherspoon enjoys the physicality of the game. A weekly press conference is not the place to spew feelings about what you think about the roster. Also, Jim Harbaugh claiming Baby Ruth is the best candy is by far the correct answer. Here's how the 6,309-square foot home was listed on Realtor.com : And she does it in the right way. American football player and coach (born 2005), Arkansas Razorbacks head football coaches, Illinois Fighting Illini head football coaches, "Bret Bielema's hometown roots still strong long after Illinois football coach left Prophetstown", "2021 Illinois Football Record Book (PDF)", "Recounting Kirk Ferentz's hire at Iowa, 20 years later", "Arkansas coach Bret Bielema has fond, humorous memories working for Kansas State's Bill Snyder", "Alvarez to step down as Badgers coach after season, picks successor", https://web.archive.org/web/20070313001612/http://uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportid=111&storyid=9148, https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010058/http://uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportid=111&storyid=9455, https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010518/http://uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportid=111&storyid=9525, https://web.archive.org/web/20061214042311/http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/fb/headlines/story.html?sportID=111&storyID=9606, "BIG TEN NOTEBOOK; Bielema quietly has superb first year", "UW Earns First-Ever 11-Win Regular Season", "Wisconsin's Bielema hired as Arkansas coach", "University To Introduce New Coach Bielema Wednesday", "Arkansas coach Bielema says pay for his assistants was an issue at Wisconsin", "Arkansas Razorbacks: Bret Bielema named new head football coach", "2013 Southeastern Conference Year Summary", "Arkansas Razorbacks Football Record By Year", "LSU at Arkansas Box Score, November 15, 2014", "Ole Miss at Arkansas Box Score, November 22, 2014", "Arkansas at Missouri Box Score, November 28, 2014", "Texas Bowl - Arkansas vs Texas Box Score, December 29, 2014", "Toledo vs Arkansas Box Score, September 12, 2015", "Texas A&M vs Arkansas Box Score, September 26, 2015", "Mississippi State ekes out crazy 51-50 win over Arkansas", "Liberty Bowl - Kansas State vs Arkansas Box Score, January 2, 2016", "The Hutch Report: Bielema's second half collapses", "Rhoads Promoted To Defensive Coordinator", "College football and basketball coaches are the highest-paid public employees here are the biggest paydays", "Arkansas' Bret Bielema says he was fired as he left the field following loss", "Am told Arkansas fired Bret Bielema right after the game because his players were scattering and leaving town for the holiday weekend. While embracing the challenges of undergoing the latest overhaul with the Illini and new strategies in the face of COVID, Bielema found a way to work Zoom, allowing his personality and attention to detail to shine. CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli breaks down what Illinois football's long-term possibilities are under Bret Bielema in a deepening Big Ten. Bielema's return to Illinois could infuse an Illini team that largely struggled under Smith, who went 17-39, including 10-33 in the Big Ten, and earned one bowl bid in five seasons. Newer Post Older Post Home. d2luZG93Ll9kaWRBc3luY0luamVjdEdvb2dsZVRhZ01hbmFnZXIpIHJldHVy The alternative would have been learning of the firing via social media or a group text message. Three Illini defensive backs Devon Witherspoon . A native of Prophetstown, Illinois, Bielema has 25 years of collegiate coaching experience and compiled a 14-year record of 110-70(.611) as head coach at Wisconsin,Arkansas, and Illinois. And its the first time in any of our moves, that shes been able to speak her emotions of missing Daddy. Get the Daily OutKick and get smarter every day. And like Alex Collins at Arkansas, Bielema has a borderline Heisman Trophy-like running back in Chase Brown, who is the only rusher in FBS with more 1,000 yards. Its simply unbeatable. Bielema then spent five seasons as head coach at Arkansas from 2013-17. Two seasons later, he was named Defensive Coordinator at Wisconsin under Hall-of-Famer Barry Alvarez and moved into the head coaching role of the Badgers in 2006 when Alvarez retired. Rm5ld3MlMkZpbGxpbm9pcy1mb290YmFsbC1icmV0LWJpZWxlbWEtaGl0cy10 Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onIllinois Fighting Illini and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Get a yearly subscription for $99.95/year or $9.95/month. In this brave new world staggering through a worldwide pandemic, Bielema more than adjusted and hit the ground running in his third Power 5 head coaching job. He simply tweeted, This isnt a good look. Bielema did not travel with the team to Iowa having contracting COVID-19, and the Illini lost to the Hawkeyes with wide receivers coach George McDonald serving as acting head coach. totally empty, and theyve never been able to run the length of the house, so they were excited. DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. The Illini finished 8-4 and will play Mississippi State on Jan. 2 in the ReliaQuest Bowl, just the team's fifth postseason appearance since reaching the 2008 Rose Bowl. The Illini will have a chance to maintain its ranking with a home win during the Illinis 112th homecoming alumni celebration. Bret Bielema had that and more when he was at the lectern to discuss Illinois' opening contest against Wyoming Saturday at 3 PM in Champaign. Bret Bielema had been planning a March 26 reunion with his wife, Jen, and young daughters, Briella and Brexli, for months. Not having depth on the offensive line does fall on the shoulders of the previous regime. During his three years with Ferentz at Iowa, Bielema recruited several players, most from Florida, that would form part of the core of the 2002 Iowa team, including Heisman runner-up quarterback Brad Banks, wide receivers C. J. Jones and Maurice Brown, nose tackle Colin Cole, cornerback Antwan Allen, and linebackers Fred Barr and Abdul Hodge. Lets look at the content first. In Bielema's first season with the Patriots, New England was 11-5 and defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. The moment caused considerable stir, with University of Iowa officials reprimanding Bielema and sending an official letter of apology to Walden. [46] This was Illinois' first bowl game since 2019 and their first winning season since 2011. Yesterday, the former Wisconsin and Arkansas head coach said this about his team: Now imagine you're a player on the Illini roster. CBSSports.com 247Sports MaxPreps SportsLine . From 2006-12 Bielema was the head coach at Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to three Big Ten championships (2010-12), six consecutive . The Fighting Illini beat Minnesota, 26-14, on Saturday to move to 6-1 and become bowl-eligible. The biggest regular . Illinois . But Bret and Jen are used to plans changing on a limb. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Illinois coach Bret Bielema, right, will not coach this week's game against No. All Bielema is saying is if he calls on the second-string offensive line to play significant snaps, then the program is in trouble. [52], Arkansas sports radio personality Bo Mattingly debuted a series featuring Bielema entitled 'Being Bret Bielema' on February 25, 2016.[53]. Bielema is 13-11 in two seasons since taking over the . Fenelus worked with LSU's defensive backs along with . [31], Bielema's fourth season was a topsy-turvy campaign that ended with two embarrassing defeats at the hands of Missouri in the regular season finale and Virginia Tech in the 2016 Belk Bowl. Bret Bielema was named as the 26th Fighting Illini Head Football Coach in the history of the program in December 2020. Sign up for the Razorbacks Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Not everyone is a fan of Sam Pittman's offseason moves. So far through the first seven games of the season, the Illini sit with a 2-5 . 24. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. It feels like were home again. *Ohio State was the Big Ten Leaders Division champion, but third place Wisconsin represented the division in the Big Ten Championship Game due to the fact that Ohio State and second place Penn State were both ineligible from post-season play by the NCAA. ZyAtLT4KCgo=, Enjoying OrangeandBlueNews? b20vbmV3cy9pbGxpbm9pcy1mb290YmFsbC1icmV0LWJpZWxlbWEtaGl0cy10 Illinois Football: Despite the hits, Ryan Walters has improved the Illini defense, Illinois Football: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time, Larry Davis Wants the NFL to Ban Kickers and Goal Posts, Illinois Football: 4-star Louisville lineman keeps Illini in top 3, Illinois Football: Illini land official visit from Florida safety, Illinois Football: Illini targeting in-state linebacker with recent offer. [4], Bielema returned to Iowa in 1994 to begin his coaching career under Fry as a graduate assistant. Bret Bielema had an indirect part in his former employer changing head coaches. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Bielema is the only coach in Wisconsin history to lose consecutive Rose Bowls. [12] He then extended the record with his ninth victory on November 4, defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions, 133. Imh0dHBzOi8vc2Iuc2NvcmVjYXJkcmVzZWFyY2guY29tL3A/YzE9MiZjMj03 Gambling related content is not intended for anyone under the age of 21. Is what Bielema said about the offensive line current? The Illini made massive gains in the Big Ten defensive rankings, as well, jumping 9+ spots in scoring defense (4th from 14th), touchdowns allowed (t-3rd from 14th), yards allowed per game (5th from 14th), and passing yards allowed per game (1st from 10th). [50][51] Their first daughter, Briella, was born in 2017. [5] Bielema, one of the leading recruiters on Fry's staff, continued on the road recruiting during the coaching search. They shouldn't even vote on it. I dont think I would ever have gotten that from anybody else but her. Because usually when youre head coach, nobody tells you to do things to get uncomfortable, but she always does. 3 Michigan on Saturday, . Bielema attended Prophetstown High School in Prophetstown, Illinois. Bielema was part of the 1990 Iowa team that won a share of the Big Ten title with Illinois. Breaking in a new offensive coordinator and adjusting to losing three NFL drafted defensive players up front, the Razorbacks got off to a slow start, losing to Toledo and Texas Tech in the non-conference and started 24. In 1998, Fry retired and was replaced by former Iowa offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz, who had briefly coached Bielema in offensive line sets during preparation for the 1988 Peach Bowl. Bielema coached Wisconsin to victories in 17 of his first 18 games. He should probably have talked to players who he doesnt see as a fit for this program one-on-one to let them know, rather than air out his issues via the microphone. ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm From 2006-12 Bielema was the head coach at Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to three Big Ten championships (2010-12), six consecutive bowl games and a 68-24 record (.739). Bret Bielema Pokes Fun At His Weight When Talking About Halloween Candy, Chase Elliott Out Several Weeks With Leg Fracture From Snowboard Accident, Wade Phillips Goes With Michael Scott Ageism Theory On Why Hes Not In The NFL. And the jobs here that we have with our children, I mean, she knows more than anything how important those girls are to me. So naturally, Bret adapted, pushed back his flight a couple hours and was warmly welcomed by his family in Jersey late morning. The University seems to be more than a little self-conscious about our team's inferior reputation. Photo Courtesy of Michael Glasgow / Illinois Athletics. In the weekly press conference on Monday afternoon, Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema made some headlines. He was the first coach in Big Ten history to win 10 games in his first season, the first Wisconsin coach to win 11 games prior to a bowl game and became the third coach in NCAA history to win 12 games in his first season. As for the fans and the Fighting Illini community, Bielema recognizes the shared hunger for success and he loves that they take part in celebrating the wins of the team. Bielema graduated from Iowa in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in marketing. If things continue on the current trajectory, he's going to be up for a lot of awards. [43][44], Bielema's second season at Illinois began with a victory over Wyoming, a disappointing loss at Indiana, followed by six consecutive victories over Virginia, Chattanooga, at Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and at Nebraska, making the Illini record 7-1. Bret Arnold Bielema (/ b i l m /; born January 13, 1970) is an American football coach. 0:00. Pittman, who served as offensive line coach for Bielema for a bulk of the Illini coachs stint at Arkansas, made a point to observe his team was 4-3 last season, too, through seven games and finished with nine wins. Defeated Northwestern since November 29th, 2014; Had an undefeated non-conference season since 2011 (Arkansas . Because I know other people are going to talk about it. Illinois football coach Bret Bielema with his wife, Jen, and the couple's two daughters Briella, front left, and Brexli. Zachary Barlev and Josh Kreutz could have very bright futures. Bielema was a defensive lineman at Iowa from 1989-92, when he was a four-time letterman under Fry. 1CHAMPAIGN One announced sellout crowd has happened at Memorial Stadium in the past 11 seasons, with the moment taking place at a 2016 Illinois home football game against North Carolina. They didnt recruit young talent enough when it comes to the offensive line, among other positions. [3] In 1994 he played for the Milwaukee Mustangs, a team in the Arena Football League. Bielema was a defensive lineman at Iowa from 1989-92, when he was a four-time letterman under Fry. The Illini were ranked in the AP Top 25 for five straight weeks, reaching as high as No. With a 140 victory over San Diego State on September 16, 2006, Bielema became the third Wisconsin head coach to win the first three games of his career. Illinois' passing offense was the most improved in the nation,as the Illini ranked third in the nation in completion percentage (69.6%), a rise of 122 spots in the national rankings. https://razorbackswire.usatoday.com/2022/10/16/bret-bielema-sam-pittman-illinois-arkansas-football/, Sam Pittman, in his third season, is 4-3 after Saturdays 52-37 win against BYU, How to watch Arkansas Razorbacks: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | March 4, No. Bielema and Bob Elliott replaced Phil Bennett, who had left to become the head coach of the SMU Mustangs. Illinois'scoring defense (31st from 97th), third down defense (31st from 89th), and total defense (52nd from 114th) all improved more than 50 spots in the nation rankings from 2020. aGUtZ3JvdW5kLXpvb21pbmciCiAgfSk7CiAgKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgewogICAg The Badgers shared or won Big Ten championships three straight seasons from 2010-12 and he led Wisconsin to victories in the first two Big Ten championship games. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q Bielema's coaching pedigree and list of football mentors matches that of any coach in the nation. Bielema is saying that Illinois doesnt have a player in the second string on the offensive line that is ready to step in play significant snaps. The Illini spent a lot of time on the fundamentals of playing in the secondary and ball skills are an . Because its hard to predict the reaction of the Razorbacks fan base when they hear: Bret Bielema is a dynamite coach. Two seasons later, he was named Defensive Coordinator at Wisconsin under Hall-of-Famer Barry Alvarez and moved into the head coaching role of the Badgers in 2006 when Alvarez retired. bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD You have to look at the content of what Bielema said, and you also have to look at where he said it. Mitch Trubisky threw for two scores and . A city that has been starving for a winner to finally happen. c191Y2ZyPTAiIC8+Cjwvbm9zY3JpcHQ+CjwhLS0gRW5kIGNvbVNjb3JlIFRh [27], In Bielema's third season, the team suffered the loss of returning 1,190-yard starting running back Jonathan Williams before the season. It was funny because we were about ready to get on the plane, and Jen was doing some last-minute things with the house and putting the car seats in the car service. With Jen, Briella and Brexli now in Champaign for good, those interactions through the phone have finally ended. [15] After a 1714 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2007, he became the third coach in NCAA history to win 12 games in his rookie season, finishing 121. [38] He won his first Super Bowl title when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. The Hogs have to rebuild the wide receiver room after losing the bulk of their pass offense, which makes this recruiting season interesting (). And with the Bielema girls getting older now, the recent move has been the hardest on the family. Bret Bielema: Full Circle Bret Bielema was named as the 26th Fighting Illini Head Football Coach in the history of the program in December 2020. . In Football. Its just felt like weve been this broken house, if you will, because he was in Champaign, and we were there. L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm Bret Bielema has agreed to a six-year contract extension with Illinois through the end of the 2028 season, the school announced on Tuesday. Bielema lettered four years, earned a scholarship and served as team captain his senior season. And she just embraced him. November 19, 2022. He also was very pleased with himself with how he responded. After inheriting a depleted roster and enduring a difficult first season, he led the Razorbacks to three consecutive bowl games, including victories against Texas in 2014 and Kansas State in 2015. Zi5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShqLGYpOwogICAgICAgIHdpbmRv Dedicated to making this his familys home for potentially decades to come, Bret designed an entire wing dedicated to recruiting visits and remote work, featuring the Illini Way, which will include some of his football memorabilia, like Big Ten and Lombardi trophies. If things continue on the current trajectory, hes going to be up for a lot of awards. At one point, they won six-straight tilts, but they now are on a two-game losing skid. Bret BielemaIllinoisIllinois Fighting Illini. mainly occupied by work, but he can now be a part of dinner conversations, read bedtime stories and even help with preschool pick ups every so often. . On December 4, 2012, it was announced that Bielema was leaving Wisconsin to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Send the award straight to his house. 3 Michigan, just two days after his mother, Marilyn, passed away. Not seeing his family since a short stay in New Jersey for Christmas, Bret hoped to hop on a plane by 7 a.m. and take a two-hour flight out to his familys rental home just to bring them right back to Champaign, so he could be with his family for good. Under first-year offensive coordinator Barry Lunney, the Illinois offense made a leap forward behindAll-American running back Chase Brown, who finished fourth in the nation in rushing, and quarterback Tommy DeVito, who ranked third in the nation in completion percentage. While Bret is comfortable showing that side of himself to the media, or team or Jen, its something he keeps from Briella and Brexli. He is the head football coach at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a position he has held since the 2021 season. But its definitely not our ending point that is hopefully just a catalyst in the future.. . 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. It was Wisconsin's first victory over a #1-ranked team since 1981 when the Badgers upset Michigan. That probably tears my heart the hardest when I can just see it on her. 2023 University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, Outside Linebackers, Senior Assistant Coach. Bielema finished his first season at Illinois with an overall record of 5-7, and a Big Ten record of 4-5, which placed the Illini fifth in the Big Ten West Division. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. October 28, 2022, 6:00 amupdated October 28, 2022, 8:15 am. In Bielemas first season in Champaign, Illinois went 5-7 overall record and 4-5 Big Ten record in 2021, including ranked road wins over #7 Penn State in the longest game in college football history (9 OT) and #20 Minnesota, the Illini's first ever win over a College Football Playoff ranked opponent. He played for and coached under Hall-of-Famer Hayden Fry, helping the Hawkeyes share the 1990 Big Ten title with Illinois. Count us in for a bowl meeting between Pittman and Bielema. After joining the team as a walk-on, Bielema earned a scholarship after his first year, started as a junior and was named a team captain for his senior season. Getty Images. In July 2005, Alvarez announced he would retire after the 2005 season and become the Badger athletic director. What type of leadership is this? (.611) as head coach at Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Illinois. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. From that tweet, many fans, enemies, and people across the country grabbed ahold of the video and have commented on it. Say whatever you want about Bret Bielema, but you definitely cant say hes not a self-aware guy. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Arnie Bielema is not an unfamiliar name if you are familiar with college football and National Football League (NFL).. PSBkb2N1bWVudC5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07 Quote Tweet. But it was a special moment for all of us. While the official box score showed a full capacity of 60,670, only 47,877 actually made it through the turnstiles to see the visiting Tar Heels win 38-23. Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg Alvarez also announced he had chosen Bielema as his successor, and would take over in 2006.[9]. Please check your email for a confirmation. After inheriting a depleted roster and enduring a difficult first season, he led the Razorbacks to three consecutive bowl games, including victories against Texas in 2014 and Kansas State in 2015. But, with that being said, Bielema picked the absolutely wrong place to express his feelings about the offensive line and other positions. There is no doubt that Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema is the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Get What You Asked For: Mets Fans Troll MLBs New Pitch Clock In Hilarious Fashion. In Bielema's first season with the Patriots, New England was 11-5 and defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. The two met when Bret still coached at Wisconsin, so Jen made moves with him to Arkansas, then New England, then New York and now, Champaign. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. . The Fighting Illini beat Minnesota, 26-14, on Saturday to move to 6-1 and become bowl-eligible. And while Bret will get most of the spotlight during their years in Champaign, as the head football coach always does, he knows getting to this point in his life and football career would be impossible without Jen. [7][8], Bielema left Kansas State after the 2003 season to become the Wisconsin defensive coordinator under head coach Barry Alvarez, who had also coached at Iowa under Fry. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Bret Bielema takes aim at referees during Illinois-Michigan game Grey Papke, Larry Brown Sports 11/19/2022 Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya Wade granted legal-name change, gender change in court [32] Beating Missouri would have resulted in Bret Bielema improving his regular season record every year at Arkansas. Mississippi State, inspired by the untimely death of their head coach Mike Leach, beat Illinois 19-10 in the bowl. Sign up now and get a 30-day FREE trial. Peyton Hillis spent more than a week in the hospital and was in intensive care and on a ventilator. Illinois Fighting Illini news fromFanSided Daily. CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli breaks down what Illinois football's long-term possibilities are under Bret Bielema in a deepening Big Ten. In the weekly press conference on Monday afternoon, Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema made some headlines. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. Bret Bielema: Full Circle Bret Bielema was named as the 26th Fighting Illini Head Football Coach in the history of the program in December 2020. . bCk7CiAgfSkoKTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+Cgo8bm9zY3JpcHQ+CiAgPGltZyBzcmM9 On December 19, 2020, Bielema was announced as the next head coach at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, succeeding Lovie Smith. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema argues a call with an official against Penn State during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Its the Alabama of Halloween candy. Illiniois head coach Bret Bielema is settling the famILLy business, one game at a time. We asked our @B1GFootball coaches, and some have thoughts on candy corn. That 2022 class is on par with Lovie's 2017 class, which was his high water mark. New Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema (left) and Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman (right) posing for a photo during Bielema's introductory media conference on Dec. 21, 2020. If anything, it makes us look like a joke. From 2006-12 Bielema was the head coach at Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to three Big Ten championships (2010-12), six consecutive bowl games and a 68-24 record (.739). Premium access to our stories, rankings, and forums for 30 days absolutely free. Bret Bielema hypes up his defense. After two years as a graduate assistant and six seasons as linebacker coach at Iowa, Bielema spent two years as Co-Defensive Coordinator at Kansas State under Hall-of-Famer Bill Snyder, helping the Wildcats win the 2003 Big 12 Championship. Andy Staples covers college football and all barbecue-related issues for The .