ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum has sharply criticized Illinois head coach Bret Bielema for his remarks suggesting the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is "stuck living in 2005." Finebaum, speaking on ESPN's 'Get Up,' dismissed Bielema's comments made during the Big Ten media days as misguided and highlighted the coach's unsuccessful tenure at Arkansas.
Bielema, speaking at the podium, had stated, "(SEC commissioner) (Greg) Sankey, I know he's gotta protect the SEC, and they kinda wanna live in 2005 forever. But, I think the forward thinking of where we are in college football is an awesome thing." He made these remarks while acknowledging the Big Ten's current dominance, with the conference having won three consecutive national championships, following four SEC championships.
Finebaum retorted that since 2005, the SEC has won 13 national championships. He then recalled Bielema's time as head coach at Arkansas, stating, "He never fails to be the village idiot at Big Ten Media Days." Finebaum cited Bielema's record at Arkansas, claiming he was "a complete and total disaster" with an 11-29 conference record in the SEC and a 1-8 record in his final conference season. However, records indicate Bielema's final SEC season at Arkansas in 2017 concluded with a 1-7 conference record and an overall 4-8 season record. Over his five-year tenure with the Razorbacks, Bielema secured 11 conference wins.
Finebaum suggested Bielema's comments were rich given his history coaching within the SEC and that he "always shows up there and gives us something to laugh about, but mostly to laugh at him."