Report: Bret Bielema to interview for the University of Colorado’s head coaching job

Reports surfaced Monday that New York Giants outside linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant Bret Bielema will interview to be the new head coach of the University of Colorado.

Ian Rapoport first broke the news Monday afternoon.

Rapoport’s report was confirmed by Sean Keeler of the Denver Post, who added that a source confirmed Bielema’s interest in the job.

Last week he emerged as a head coaching candidate to replace Mark Dantonio who retired as Michigan State’s coach. At the time, the Detroit Free Press wrote that Bielema was reportedly “eager” for a college head coaching opportunity. It is, perhaps, ironic (and speaks to the nature of the coaching carousel at both the college and NFL levels) that Michigan State ultimately hired Mel Tucker away from Colorado, creating the opening for which Bielema is interviewing.

We don’t know whether Bielema is considered a front runner for the job. But while he wasn’t successful in the SEC at the University of Arkansas, he had a strong record at the University of Wisconsin, and that should be appealing for Colorado.

If Bielema leaves, the Giants may find themselves looking for a new outside linebacker’s coach which could lead to a reunion with former Giant Pepper Johnson. Johnson was the New England Patriots’ linebackers and defensive line coach from 2001 to 2013 and most recently defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL (and was fired after one game).

Stay with Big Blue View for more on this story as we get it.