The Zeitgeist List · coaching
Illinois: a coaching history
See Illinois’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Program GOAT
Ray Eliot
0 Dynasty · 0 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Ray Eliot
Regional Program I → Power Program II (+24.0)
The fall
James Valek
Power Program III → Regional Program II (−23.7)
Right now
Bret Bielema
the 7th-best of Illinois's 14 coaches so far
Bret Bielema is the 7th-best of Illinois's 14 coaches so far.
Stature & coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Every coach
2021–now
Bret Bielemacaretaker
+10.8
28–22
2016–2020
Lovie Smithcaretaker
Regional Program II
17–39
2012–2014
Tim Beckmancaretaker
−8.4
12–25
2005–2011
Ron Zookcaretaker
National Program II
34–51
1997–2004
Ron Turnercaretaker
National Program II
35–57
1992–1996
Lou Teppercaretaker
National Program I
25–30
1988–1991
John Mackoviccaretaker
+8.6
30–16
1980–1987
Mike Whitebuilder
+15.0
47–41
1977–1979
Gary Moellercaretaker
−8.3
6–24
1971–1976
Bob Blackmancaretaker
Regional Program I
29–36
1967–1970
James Valekdecliner
−23.7
8–32
1960–1966
Pete Elliottcaretaker
Power Program III
31–34
1942–1959
Ray Eliotbuilder
+24.0
83–73
1936–1941
Robert Zuppkecaretaker
National Program II
16–28