Former SEC coach advocates for playoff expansion: ‘As many teams included as humanly possible’
Illinois coach Bret Bielema supports expanding the College Football Playoff beyond 24 teams, emphasizing broader inclusion.
Olivia Bennett 
As influential college sports leagues gather for spring meetings, the debate over expanding the College Football Playoff continues to dominate the conversation. While the structure of the postseason remains in flux, one veteran head coach is pushing for a wider net: Illinois head coach and former Arkansas leader Bret Bielema.
Pushing Beyond the Current Proposal
Bielema is advocating for an expansive playoff field, suggesting that the format should go well beyond the 24-team model currently backed by Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti. While he acknowledges that a 64-team bracket is likely off the table, he expressed interest in a larger field similar to the 32-team structures that have been floated in previous discussions.
"Personally, I would love to see as many teams included as humanly possible," Bielema told On3 recently. He noted that the two-week preparation window—similar to the NFL's lead-up to the Super Bowl—could serve as a great equalizer, allowing underdog teams with enough time to prepare a legitimate chance to upset established programs.
Respect for League Leadership
While the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 have vocalized support for expansion, the SEC has faced criticism from some observers for its perceived resistance to the 24-team plan. However, Bielema refused to join in the criticism of his former conference, instead offering high praise for SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
Reflecting on his career, which includes stops in both the SEC and the Big Ten, Bielema highlighted the high-level leadership of both Sankey and Petitti. "In my experience, these two guys are at the highest level of leadership I’ve seen at the conference level," Bielema said. "They’re both very well-versed, have a lot of background and a lot of different experiences."
Bielema recalled his time in the SEC during the tenure of former commissioner Mike Slive, noting that he was among the coaches who supported Sankey's rise to the top of the conference hierarchy. He noted that even while navigating the current landscape as the head coach at Illinois, he maintains a high level of respect for how both commissioners handle the complex, big-picture challenges facing modern college football.
