In his fourth trip to Indianapolis for Big Ten Football Media Days since being named head coach of the Illinois football program in December 2020, Bret Bielema fielded questions from reporters in a nationally televised press conference before taking part in various media opportunities throughout the day.
Bielema was joined by Fighting Illini student-athletes Pat Bryant, Seth Coleman and Gabe Jacas, who all made their Media Days debuts in 2024.
Addressing topics ranging from the conference's expansion, the excitement and momentum surrounding the program ahead of the 2024 season and the evolving nature of the college football world, Bielema is excited about the state of his team going into the Orange and Blue's season-opening kickoff on Aug. 29.
"There isn't a more exciting time for me in my life than to be the head coach at the University of Illinois in 2024," Bielema said. "I just can't express how awesome it is to have this job, to be in this opportunity and to make it be very, very special every day when I walk in that building."
Here are a few key takeaways from the Illini's time in Indianapolis for 2024 Big Ten Football Media Days.
Bielema looks forward to first year of expanded Big Ten Conference schedule in 2024
Illinois' 2024 conference slate will feature games from coast to coast, as the Orange and Blue will travel to Oregon in October, in the Ducks' first year in the Big Ten, before heading to Rutgers in November. With the elimination of divisions and the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USCÂ and Washington, the Illini are set to begin a historic 2024 season next month.
"Really, really excited for our conference," Bielema said. "I know a lot of people have different views on expansion, but for me, as a head coach, I'm looking at a schedule this year where I play a game on the East Coast against Rutgers and Penn State, and then we play a game on the West Coast against Oregon. We play a game in the middle of our stadium, in Memorial Stadium, against Michigan for our 100-year anniversary game.Â
"It is very, very special to have those types of games on our schedule, not only great for our players, but for our fans. It's just a really neat time to have an environment such as this in the conference."
Starting the season with three non-conference home games – Eastern Illinois, Kansas, and Central Michigan – before beginning Big Ten play on the road, the Orange and Blue will face an unprecedented schedule during the 2024 campaign.
Looking to improve and build on last season's finish, Bielema and the Illini eagerly await the start of fall training camp next week and the start of the 2024 season at the end of August.
"We have a really unique schedule," Bielema said. "We start fall camp on Sunday, and I'm excited to get to work with these guys and see where we can go."
Mix of transfers, incoming freshmen, returning contributors will feature on 2024 roster
With four draft picks and several other players now inked to professional contracts in the NFL, the Illini saw a lot of talent and experience depart from their 2023 squad, but Bielema and his staff worked hard to rebuild Illinois' roster heading into 2024.
The Illini brought in three four-star transfers, the sixth-most in the conference, who will likely make immediate impacts in Champaign: DB Terrance Brooks (Texas), OL J.C. Davis (New Mexico), and WR Zakhari Franklin (UTSA/Ole Miss).
Illinois' 2024 roster features a plethora of depth and collegiate experience, with 17 Illinois student-athletes boasting double-digit starts heading into the season. Nine of these players arrived in Champaign via the transfer portal over the last several months.
"Even though they may have not started for us, but they've started at other places," Bielema said. "We have 17 players that are in either our starting line-up or what we consider to be starters in our program.
"I'm excited about our team. There's a lot of really good, valuable experience coming into our building as well as the addition of the guys that we had from last year who got better this spring."
The Orange and Blue also bring back several starters from their 2023 roster, including all three of their 2024 Big Ten Media Days attendees. Given the addition of several new faces who will potentially slot into the starting lineup in the team's season opener, Bielema will lean on his veterans as the squad continues to build strong relationships and establish chemistry.
"This is my fourth year as a head coach, but these three guys all have different stories," Bielema said. "These guys chose Illinois because of Illinois. I think it stands for what they represent, and I'm excited to have them with us."
Momentum around the program continues to grow, is reflected in 2024 ticket sales
With six weeks to go until kickoff on Aug. 29, the amount of public season tickets sold in 2024 has already surpassed the total number of season tickets sold one season ago. Student interest has reflected a similar trend, as both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns are on track to feature the highest number of student tickets sold in over one decade.
With Memorial Stadium set to host several in-season promotions to honor the 100th anniversary of the stadium's dedication, including the highly anticipated Rededication Game against Michigan on Oct. 19, fans will not want to miss out on witnessing history all season long in Champaign.
"We have six rematch games and six new games. We play five games, have a bye week, four games and then a bye week, and then three," Bielema said. "A lot of different ways to look at it, but I'm super excited with the way this thing lays out. We have a Thursday game, a Friday game, and 10 Saturday games.Â
"It's a little bit of everything, which is what college football is right now. I think our guys are excited for it."
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