Illinois coach Bret Bielema is 56 years old and one of the most recognizable members of his profession across the Midwest. 

Bielema, a native of Prophetstown, Illinois, has built up a long and impressive legacy as a college football player at Iowa and a coach at various stops, including with the Fighting Illini, which he's led to two consecutive bowl game wins. 

Bielema lost his father, Arnie, on Sunday morning at age 88, one day after beating the Oregon Ducks by a score of 21-10 in Champaign, Ill. 

The Fighting Illini coach shared words of admiration, love and respect for his late father at a press conference on Monday, including the most inspiring words he ever shared. 

Arnie Bielema had a huge influence on his son Bret, helping to convince him to never settle for less when it came to his career as a college football player and coach. 

"He wanted me to pursue the biggest opportunity available whether it was Northern Illinois, (or) all of a sudden Iowa called," Bielema said about his playing days as a nose guard. 

"And in my bed there was a letter from my dad, he said, put on a piece of paper, he said, 'What you conceive in your mind and believe in your heart, you will achieve,'" Bielema said, first laughing then becoming emotional about his father's words, which he has tattooed on his calf while at Iowa.

"And I think about it all the time, because of he hadn't convinced me to walk on to the University of Iowa, and be around great people, that taught me what it's all about...I had never really been in a coaching environment that made you believe in my coaches," Bielema continued. 

Arnie Bielema also worked in the sporting goods industry, which led to a connection that helped Bielema get noticed by the Big Ten school. 

Bielema eventually served as a co-captain for the Hawkeyes, leading them to a co-Big Ten championship in 1990 before moving on to the world of coaching. 

Bielema's team will head to College Park, Maryland on Oct. 31 for a noon kickoff as they look to move to 5-3 on the season and 3-2 in the Big Ten.

The Terrapins are reeling after the firing of former head coach Mike Locksley and five straight losses, the last coming to Rutgers on Oct. 17. 

Starting QB Malik Washington had over 300 total yards in that game and wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. had over 100 yards receiving. 

Bielema and his team have a tough turnaround considering the gravity of the Arnie Bielema news and recent injury updates, but will have a chance to vent their emotions on the football field in another Big Ten game, and another opportunity for Bielema to add to his winning record as a head coach, with his dad smiling down proudly from above.