Deion Sanders and Fran Brown attempted to change how college programs practice moving forward. Colorado and Syracuse filed a waiver to the NCAA, asking to allow a joint practice between the two programs. This most likely would have taken place in the spring and been the first of its kind at the college level before ultimately being shot down.
As this was unfolding, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was preparing in case the NCAA decided to give approval. He asked North Carolina and Bill Belichick if they would be interested. If anyone would know how this style of practice looks, it’s Belichick.
“The one thing that was really intriguing to me in the NFL was those minicamps where teams would get together and compete with one another,” Bielema said. “This past spring, I saw when Colorado and Syracuse were talking about getting together. There was a moment where we thought some teams might get together, whether it be in the spring or the fall. That’s when I reached out to him… ‘Hey, if we could go a little challenge with North Carolina and Illinois, either now or in the future, would you be interested?’ That was really the genesis of it.”
Based on the comments from Bielema, the door could still be open. If the NCAA does eventually allow a joint minicamp of sorts, the first call Illinois makes might be to North Carolina. And as much experience as Belichick has in the NFL, Bielema spent 2018 and 2019 in New England before joining the New York Giants as an assistant in 2020 — Illinois hired him directly from the NFL. The two would have a great idea as to what the overall event would look like.
There are no future matchups scheduled between Illinois and North Carolina, either. A home-and-home series with another Tobacco Road opponent, Duke, does start this season for the Fighting Illini. Maybe another added layer to the joint practice if it had come together.
Who knows, though. Maybe the postseason could bring the two together in some junction this season. Expectations are going to be high for Illinois and if you ask Bielema, North Carolina is going to have a solid season as well.
“He’s got a really good group of coaches,” Bielema said. “I think North Carolina is ready to come into college football and they’re probably in a better position than many think.”
As this was unfolding, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was preparing in case the NCAA decided to give approval. He asked North Carolina and Bill Belichick if they would be interested. If anyone would know how this style of practice looks, it’s Belichick.
“The one thing that was really intriguing to me in the NFL was those minicamps where teams would get together and compete with one another,” Bielema said. “This past spring, I saw when Colorado and Syracuse were talking about getting together. There was a moment where we thought some teams might get together, whether it be in the spring or the fall. That’s when I reached out to him… ‘Hey, if we could go a little challenge with North Carolina and Illinois, either now or in the future, would you be interested?’ That was really the genesis of it.”
Based on the comments from Bielema, the door could still be open. If the NCAA does eventually allow a joint minicamp of sorts, the first call Illinois makes might be to North Carolina. And as much experience as Belichick has in the NFL, Bielema spent 2018 and 2019 in New England before joining the New York Giants as an assistant in 2020 — Illinois hired him directly from the NFL. The two would have a great idea as to what the overall event would look like.
There are no future matchups scheduled between Illinois and North Carolina, either. A home-and-home series with another Tobacco Road opponent, Duke, does start this season for the Fighting Illini. Maybe another added layer to the joint practice if it had come together.
Who knows, though. Maybe the postseason could bring the two together in some junction this season. Expectations are going to be high for Illinois and if you ask Bielema, North Carolina is going to have a solid season as well.
“He’s got a really good group of coaches,” Bielema said. “I think North Carolina is ready to come into college football and they’re probably in a better position than many think.”
