Bielema is listed on the agenda under “action items” for employment approval. He is expected to become the sixth Limestone coach since 2000, replacing Jeff Schmider, who resigned in December after three seasons at the Mid-Illini Conference school in Bartonville.

Background: Limestone looking for a new high school football coach

Bielema, a 1990 graduate of Sterling, coached at Morrison from 2008-2017, leading the school to the playoff five times and winning Class 2A state championships in 2009 and 2011. He was 64-42 (.604) in 10 seasons as coach in Morrison, located about 90 miles north of Peoria.

Following the 2017-18 school year, Cory Bielema became a principal at a Morrison elementary school, then at the high school through 2022-23. Currently, he’s listed as a science teacher on the Morrison High School website.