The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Illinois: a football coaching history

National Program II#47 of 138–
See Illinois’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Ray Eliot
Peaked at Power Program II
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

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.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)ZuppkeEliotElliottBlackmanWhiteTepperTurnerZookSmithBielema19401960198020002020

Every coach

2021–now
Bret Bielemabuilder
Bret Bielema raised Illinois from Regional Program II to National Program II.
+12.5
37–26
2020–2020
Rod Smithshort tenure
0–1
2016–2020
Lovie Smithcaretaker
Lovie Smith slid Illinois from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
Regional Program II
17–39
2015–2015
Bill Cubitshort tenure
5–7
2012–2014
Tim Beckmancaretaker
Tim Beckman slid Illinois from National Program II to National Program III in 3 seasons.
−8.4
12–25
2005–2011
Ron Zookcaretaker
Ron Zook moved Illinois from National Program III to National Program II in 7 seasons.
National Program II
34–51
1997–2004
Ron Turnercaretaker
Ron Turner held Illinois at National Program II for 8 seasons.
National Program II
35–57
1992–1996
Lou Teppercaretaker
Lou Tepper moved Illinois from National Program II to National Program I in 5 seasons.
National Program I
25–30
1988–1991
John Mackoviccaretaker
John Mackovic moved Illinois from National Program III to National Program II in 4 seasons.
+8.6
30–16
1980–1987
Mike Whitebuilder
Mike White raised Illinois from Regional Program III to National Program II.
+15.0
47–41
1977–1979
Gary Moellercaretaker
Gary Moeller slid Illinois from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
−8.3
6–24
1971–1976
Bob Blackmancaretaker
Bob Blackman moved Illinois from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
Regional Program I
29–36
1967–1970
James Valekdecliner
Illinois fell from Power Program III to Regional Program II under James Valek.
−23.7
8–32
1960–1966
Pete Elliottcaretaker
Pete Elliott held Illinois at Power Program III for 7 seasons.
Power Program III
31–34
1942–1959
Ray Eliotbuilder
Ray Eliot raised Illinois from Regional Program I to Power Program II.
+24.0
83–73
1936–1941
Robert Zuppkecaretaker
Robert Zuppke held Illinois at National Program II for 6 seasons.
National Program II
16–28