Bielema: “Excited” about Illinois before the start of the season

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – As Eastern Illinois comes to Champaign on Thursday night, head coach Bret Bielema expressed his excitement for the upcoming season

“Important work has been done,” Bielema said. “I’m thrilled with my staff, my support staff, everything from the equipment our guys have to the way they’re being fed and cared for medically.”

Bielema’s coordinators Barry Lunney Jr. and Aaron Henry agreed.

“Any time you start a new football season, it’s exciting,” said Henry, who is in his second year as a defensive playmaker. “But I think the most important thing for us is just to keep going and moving forward to make sure we do what we’ve been taught.”

From the opponent to technological changes to the return of a key defensive back, here are the three most important takeaways from today’s media coverage.

Eastern Illinois Panthers

“I know they defend really well,” said offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., “and I know that for two reasons. First, you see it on film. And second, it’s their head coach.”

Panthers head coach Chris Wilkerson begins his third year with the program and has initiated a dramatic turnaround.

After a 2-9 record in his first season, the Panthers reached an 8-3 record in 2023, led by good quarterback play and a strong defense.

There is even a strong personal connection between Wilkerson and Lunney.

“I’ve known Chris Wilkerson for a long time and have a very close relationship,” Lunney said. “We worked with him at San Jose State. I have the privilege of being his godfather to Peyton, their oldest son, who is on the football team.”

Eastern Illinois returns 18 starters from the 2023 season, led by All-Conference quarterback Pierce Holley.

“I think this guy is totally underrated, man. (Holley) is as talented as you can get,” Henry said. “He does a really good job of running their offense.”

For a defense that plays with a variety of good, mobile quarterbacks, defending against Holley will be a good early test for the Illini defense.

Sideline tablets and helmet communication

“Do you want my honest opinion or do you want a stupid opinion?” Henry asked when a reporter asked him about the new Sideline tablets.

“I think they’re a bit of a scapegoat in a way because they’re giving people answers to a test that they wouldn’t normally know until after the game.”

In late April, the NCAA approved a coach’s communication via helmets with a player on the field.

Simply put, the coach can now speak directly into the quarterback’s helmet to tell him the play. This will eliminate the need for coaches to hold abstract signs signaling different plays, similar to the technology the NFL has used for decades.

Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images

In addition to communication between the headset and helmet, tablets will also be introduced on the field. This will allow coaches and players to follow the game on the field seconds after the game.

“The comfort level is, you know, as good as it gets,” Lunney said. “I think for the first game, our quarterbacks really like it.”

Although the coordinators have different views on the new advances, both stressed that the tablets must be used for the right reasons.

“They want to see their sack, or they want to see their big hit or whatever,” Henry said. “And it’s like, dude, that’s not what we do it for.”

Matthew Bailey

“Everyone has that one person they can call when things get hectic, right?” Henry said. “For me, Matt Bailey is all of those things.”

Henry was enthusiastic about the redshirt sophomore, who missed all but one game after an injury that ended his 2023 season.

“He just has a calming presence when he’s on the field,” Henry said. “He communicates at an elite level, he watches film at an elite level, like he feels confident on the field when he’s out there.”

Illinois’ defense will rely on Bailey’s ball-winning ability to force turnovers this season, an area the team struggled in last year.

“I’m just happy to see the young man go out there and fight his ass off.”

Illinois will face Eastern Illinois on Thursday, August 29th at 8 p.m.