Following Jeff Long's move to Kansas, Twitter speculates about possible reunion with Bret Bielema
After Kansas announced that Jeff Long was taking over as its next athletic director, Twitter moved on. In a hurry.
News that the former Arkansas A.D. was heading to Lawrence led many to speculate about what that would mean for the future of Kansas football. David Beaty is entering his fourth season for the historically woeful Jayhawks, who are just 3-33 in the last 3 seasons.
So naturally, there’s speculation about Beaty’s future. And now, the question is about if Bret Bielema will be his replacement. After all, it was Long who hired Bielema at Arkansas. Long was fired at Arkansas before Bielema at the end of the 2017 season.
Could Bielema follow Long to Kansas next year? Twitter seemed to enjoy debating that question:
With Jeff Long now at KU, I have to ask Jayhawks (and Wildcats) everywhere, what would be your reaction to Bret Bielema being the new fb coach?
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) July 5, 2018
Bielema is working on Bill Belichick’s staff with the New England Patriots. Some, like USA Today’s Dan Wolken, believe that might be more of Bielema’s path moving forward:
Bielema should pursue the NFL avenue. Don’t think he has the thirst for recruiting. https://t.co/qm5ROyQqKJ
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 5, 2018
Then there’s the other question that’s probably worth asking:
would Bielema even take that job? https://t.co/6b9H13FFQD
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) July 5, 2018
Kansas hasn’t won a road game in nearly a decade, and it’s not like it’s ever going to become a football school.
Besides, Bielema could have his sights set on replacing 78-year-old Kansas State coach Bill Snyder. Bielema did serve as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator from 2002-03:
Can’t wait for the BERT bidding war between Kansas and Kansas State.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) July 5, 2018
Others are just guessing/hoping that Kansas winds up with Bielema next year:
Expect Bret Bielema too be Kansas new HC within the next calendar year!!! Calling it now!!!
— Jonathan Baker (@Jayb_1411) July 5, 2018
PLEASE BRING BRETT BIELEMA WITH YOU JEFF https://t.co/lA3BnxUO92
— The Rob Breaux Show (@robbreauxshow) July 5, 2018
Bret Bielema to Kansas, folks
— Luke Zimmermann (@lukezim) July 5, 2018
Hey, Bielema did already fire off a congratulatory tweet to his former boss:
Such a great meeting between a great leader and a great opportunity at Kansas! #Congrats https://t.co/li02o1h218
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) July 5, 2018
Let the year-long speculation begin!