Wildcats Name Bielema as Linebackers Coach
Jan 10, 2002 | Football
Jan. 10, 2002
Manhattan, Kan. - Bret Bielema, formerly the linebackers coach at Iowa, has been hired as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at Kansas State, head football coach Bill Snyder announced Thursday.
Bielema, who turns 32 on Jan. 13, was on the Hawkeyes' coaching staff for eight years, including the last six as the linebackers coach. A former Hawkeye co-captain, he lettered at four years for Iowa and started for two seasons as a defensive lineman.
"There are a lot of close ties and with the Iowa connection, I've been familiar with the program," said Bielema. "To come to Kansas State and be a co-coordinator is a great opportunity. I spent time there with Coach Snyder and saw everything they have in place. I'm excited to get in there and hit the ground running."
Bielema and Sean Snyder, K-State's Associate A.D. for football operations, were teammates at Iowa in 1988.
"Bret brings a wealth of talent and enthusiasm to our program," said Snyder. "He has proven to be a very successful recruiter, a players' coach and a tireless worker.
"It was not easy for Bret to leave the University of Iowa, where he has spent his entire career as a player and coach. I am grateful to (head coach) Kirk Ferentz, a dear friend, and the University of Iowa, also a dear friend, for allowing us the opportunity to approach Bret."
Bielema became a member of the Iowa staff as a volunteer student assistant in 1993. He worked with the Hawkeye defense and special teams as a graduate assistant for two seasons before moving into a full-time coaching position.
As a player, Bielema joined the Iowa football program as a walk-on and quickly became a factor. He was a member of Iowa's Big Ten championship team in 1990 and took part in the 1991 Rose Bowl. Bielema was a starter as a junior in 1991 when the Hawkeyes were 10-1-1, ranked fifth in the final CNN/USA Today poll and played in the 1991 Holiday Bowl.
He was elected one of two co-captains in 1992 and finished his Hawkeye career with 83 tackles.
Bielema signed a free-agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks as a defensive lineman in April 1993, before completing his football career with the Milwaukee Mustangs of the Arena Football League in 1994.
Bielema earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from Iowa in 1992.
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