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Big Ten football coaches who are on the hot seat in the 2024 season

No coach is ever safe forever, so which Big Ten coaches should be worried heading into the 2024 season?

By Ericka Brockish

Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during the game.
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during the game. / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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. . 3. Bret Bielema. Big Ten coaching hot seats. . Bret Bielema. 481. . player

Bret Bielema finished his third season at Illinois, but after getting eight wins in his second year took a step backward going 5-7 and just missing a bowl game. Bielema has shown he can win in the Big Ten as he won three straight Big Ten championships at Wisconsin from 2010 to 2012. He then left that job to go coach in the SEC at Arkansas where he just could not replicate his success.

The fact that Bielema has shown he can win in the Big Ten and do it consistently is what could cost him his job at Illinois if he doesn't find a way to evolve and compete at a high level again. The Fighting Illini went 5-7 in his first season, 8-5 in his second season with a bowl loss, and then dropped back down to 5-7.

Bielema could really be on the hot seat if he doesn't find a way to win in 2024, and things are looking too good for Illinois. If he takes another step backward, Illinois might decide to try and find a coach who can take a step forward.

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