Illinois-born Bret Bielema has been the head football coach at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign since the 2021 season.
He married Jen Hielsberg on March 10, 2012, in Madison, and they have two daughters, Briella and Brexli.
Highlights
- Bret Bielema’s wife, Jen Hielsberg, was born on April 1, 1985, in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- They married on March 10, 2012, and have two daughters, Briella and Brexli.
- Her father passed away on November 23, 2022, shortly after her mother-in-law’s tragic demise in August 2023.
Bret Arnold Bielema played tight end and linebacker at Prophetstown High School but played defensive lineman at the University of Iowa under coach Hayden Fry.
He was undrafted in the 1993 NFL draft, and the Seattle Seahawks signed him as a free agent. However, he was cut during the summer and played for the Milwaukee Mustangs in 1994.
Afterward, he returned to Iowa in 1994 and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant. He was promoted to linebackers coach in 1996.
After the 2001 season, Bret became a co-defensive coordinator for the Kansas State Wildcats and helped them win the 2003 Big XII Championship.
Barry Alvarez announced he had chosen Bret as his successor and would become the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in 2006.
Moreover, he has also coached the Arkansas Razorbacks before joining the New England Patriots as a defensive consultant. Likewise, he coached the New York Giants in 2020.
Bret Bielema’s Wife, Jen Hielsberg, Is A Former Model
Bret Bielema’s wife, Jen Hielsberg, was born on April 1, 1985, in Tampa, Florida, USA. She is 39-year-old as of 2025.
As a single child, she grew up with her parents in New York and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in 2004.
Jen wanted to join the glamour world from a young age and began pursuing modeling as a teen. She began modeling for several companies and even appeared in magazine covers and commercial headlines.
Simultaneously, she was involved in financial companies, creating her identity as a businesswoman. Her dedication to her career goal helped her achieve significant success.
Furthermore, she met Bret at the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was playing blackjack, whereas she was there to visit a friend.
At first sight, the head coach fell in love with Jen’s impressive personality. He told her he was an MBA history professor to start conversations with strangers.
They dated for three years and married in a Catholic church on March 10, 2012.
They have two children, Briella Nichola Bielema, born on July 8, 2017, and Brexli Nichole Bielema, born on March 18, 2019. The married couple lives happily and enjoys their parenthood.
An avid animal lover, Jen has raised two dogs, Ricky and Lucy. She is fun-loving but conscious of her health and keeps her body well-maintained.
Unfortunately, she lost her father on November 23, 2022, shortly after her mother-in-law’s tragic demise in August 2023.
My dad was a tremendously special man. He had such a zest for life. He was full of love, optimism, laughter, courage, and so much more. I’m especially blessed and thankful for all the memories we shared together and the memories he shared with so many. My dad was one of my best friends and we talked several times each day.
Jen Hielsberg
Bret Bielema Has A TV Miniseries Being Bret Bielema
Bo Mattingly, an Arkansas sports radio personality, debuted a series featuring Bret Bielema on February 25, 2016.
It is an engaging four-episode docu-series that offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the life of the head coach.
Get your 🍿 ready!
— BEING Bret Bielema (@BEINGBretB) August 30, 2016
It's a #BEINGBretBielema marathon leading up to an all-new episode Wednesday night on @ESPNU! pic.twitter.com/9Ysg0bazlG
Being Bret Bielema provides details of Bret’s personal and professional life, including his coaching styles, relationships, and challenges in his career journey.
It broke the one-dimensional image of a football coach, showcasing his candidness and larger-than-life personality.
In the miniseries, Bret has opened up about various aspects of his life, friendships, marriage, personal struggles, professional crossroads, and achievements.
It showed how these individual experiences intertwine to shape the coach we see on the field. Likewise, it illustrates the tremendous effort required to make difficult choices in recruiting and mentoring young student-athletes.
On the other hand, managing a vibrant coaching staff, dealing with media, and winning over fans and critics are also essential tasks depicted in the miniseries.
Nonetheless, fans can witness the coach’s journey from a small-town boy to a successful college football coach, the hardships that have strengthened him, and the gratification that success has brought him.
Additional Information
- Bret Bielema, the son of Arnie Bielema and Marilyn Bielema, was born on January 13, 1970, in Silvis, Illinois.
- He grew up on an 80-acre hog farm near Prophetstown, Illinois, with his two brothers, Bart and Barry, who competed in track and wrestling.
- He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Iowa.
- His net worth is estimated at $8 million as of 2025, and he earns $3.2 million annually.
