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Illinois coach Bret Bielema has led his team to a 3-3 season so far, 1-2 in the Big Ten, amid a bye week leading up to an Oct. 24 game at home against the Oregon Ducks. 

Bielema attempted to get creative this past offseason, signing former University of Montana head coach Bobby Hauck to become his defensive coordinator, an experiment that didn't quite pan out. 

Hauck resigned from his post on September 27, 2026, giving Bielema a new problem to solve as the season began to heat up. 

Bielema filled the hole with inside linebackers coach Roger Cooper, who came over with Hauck from Montana, a coach he made a statement about on Wednesday. 

Bielema Asked About Defensive Play-Caller Role

Bielema was asked about who will continue to call the plays in Hauck's stead and appeared to answer in favor of Cooper, who has called the Fighting Illini's last two games, a home loss to Purdue and a road win over Michigan State. 

"I haven't been around much but I've had a conversation with Coop," Bielema said according to Glenn Kinley of WCIA-3 Champaign. "I think where we're goin' and what we're gonna do, definitely continues along the lines of where we're at." 

Bielema added that he has moved undisclosed coaches around in the secondary and in the linebackers room. 

"The things I've heard from our players and what I've seen from our players is that's gone a lot better as well," Bielema continued. 

Bielema's Assessment on Roger Cooper

Bielema gave his assessment on Cooper as Illinois continues to rest up and prepare for the future during its bye week. 

"I thought Coop through two games definitely got better each game, and I just hear his voice, I know his composure, I really like his demeanor, so I kinda want to do that (continue with him calling plays)."

Cooper spent four seasons at Montana as the Grizzlies' co-defensive coordinator, helping to lead his former team to four playoff appearances and a trip to the 2023 FCS National Championship Game. 

Bielema added that he has leaned heavily on assistant coaches Archie McDaniel (OLB coach) and Corey Parker (defensive backs coach), saying they've helped him to adjust schematically to changes he's made. 

The Fighting Illini gave up 24 and 37 points to Purdue and Michigan State, respectively, showing how far the defense has to go to become a unit that Bielema can rely on to win ballgames.

With QB Michael Clayton taking over Bielema's offense, Illinois has an uphill battle on its hands against the Ducks, a team that has gotten healthier at key positions as the season has gone on, and one that could be back to juggernaut status with the potential return of former Heisman candidate Dante Moore at quarterback. 

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