Illinois coach Bret Bielema fires Notre Dame AD over recent remarks: ‘just join conference’

The future of college football has become a national issue, with everyone from college administrators, coaches, conference leadership, to President Donald Trump weighing in.

Earlier this week, Alabama head coach Nick Saban laid out his vision, saying the NIL would create an endless arms race that would put pressure on smaller schools. Although it has failed to cope with the rapid increase in coaching salaries and personnel, facilities, and the historical fact that programs dominate the National Champions list.

Another person who spoke before Congress? Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua. Bevacqua addressed several issues, but one of the concerns he expressed about the future of college football is the possibility of what he described as a “major league” developing to increase media rights revenue.

“If you want to increase the importance of the media in college football,” he said. “I think you’re going to take 24 to 30 teams, create an incredibly competitive schedule where a team like Notre Dame will play Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, and start getting a number that’s very similar to the NFL number.”

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However, another prominent college football voice saw those words, and didn’t take them too well. Mainly because of Notre Dame’s unusual position within the game.

“Some guys really like to talk about what’s possible and who they can play,” Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema said on the X channel. “It’s actually very easy to join the conference.”

Bielema and Bevacqua’s disagreement highlights an often unspoken aspect of college football’s realignment and consolidation debate: How does Notre Dame fit into this?

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema yells at the official during the second half of the Music City Bowl against Tennessee in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 2025. (George Walker IV/AP)

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The Irish have now negotiated a unique arrangement that guarantees them a spot in the College Football Playoff if they finish in the top 12 in the rankings. It is clear that that did not sit well as the coaches were forced to play full conference schedules. If so, does it mean that the Irish tend to want things to stay the same?

Notre Dame has its own television contract with NBC, which gives them greater financial benefits than other schools that share revenue within the conference. They can set, for the most part, their own schedules, leading to seasons like 2026 when they are all but guaranteed a playoff spot. They obviously have a large and well-heeled base of donors who are willing and able to help with NIL. And their historic success and branding will always bring in the best people.

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But if the Irish are allowed to function as their own separate entity within college football, Bielema’s point seems to be, why should we care what they think?

Just look at the difference in the 2026 schedules. Illinois has conference games at Ohio State, against Oregon, Nebraska and Iowa. According to ESPN’s preseason SP+ rankings, the Illini are playing the No. 1 and No. 2 in the country this year. Iowa is No. 22, and Nebraska No. 37. They have seven games against top 50 teams on that list. If they can win enough games in the conference, they will then play in the Big Ten Conference Championship Game against another potential top 5 opponent.

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Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman adjusts his radio on the sideline during the game against Boise State at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 4, 2025. (Michael Caterina/Imagn Images)

Notre Dame, on the other hand, plays just one team in the top 10, No. 8 Miami, and has only four games against top 50 teams. They don’t have a conference championship game to worry about. Why should they not join the conference, and be subject to the same restrictions and difficulties as other programs?

They do not join the conference because it helps them to remain independent. Which is probably why Bevacqua is concerned about the creation of “supergroups.” An NFL-type model would mean more integration and less skill for the Irish to retain their unique advantages. If Bret Bielema were to represent other big-name coaches, that thought might be more popular.