Bret Bielema, Hank Beatty named to midseason award watch lists

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Illini Football’s Bret Bielema and Hank Beatty could be due for some hardware after being listed on a a pair midseason award watch lists.

Wednesday morning, Illinois Athletics announced that wide receiver Hank Beatty was named a Sporting News Midseason All-American and was added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding college football receiver.

Beatty currently ranks fourth in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 617 receiving yards, and 10th in the nation with 812 all-purpose yards. He has 39 receptions through seven games in 2025. Beatty is also the only player in the country with a passing, rushing, receiving and punt return touchdown this season.

Also announced on Wednesday was that Illinois Head Coach Bret Bielema was named to the American Heart Association’s Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year watch list. Bielema has led the Illini to a 5-2 start on the season despite playing the #4 strength of schedule in the nation and the #1 most difficult schedule in the Big Ten, according to ESPN.

Illinois’ strength of record metric is currently 13th-best in the nation, as its season has been highlighted by a top-25 win over USC on Homecoming weekend.

“The Bear Bryant Coach of the Year award is given each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field,” U of I Athletics said in its press release.

Bielema is one of just 28 coaches on the watch list for this award and is among the likes of Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day, Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning and Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart.

The watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.

The winner of the award will be presented on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, during the American Heart Association’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony in Houston, Texas. The ceremony will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.

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