CHAMPAIGN, IL — Rumors are swirling around Memorial Stadium after multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema exhibiting unmistakable signs of being Santa Claus.

Players claim he’s been spotted sneaking into the locker room late at night with a sack full of protein powder, handing out new cleats “to the nice ones” and coal-shaped resistance bands “to the lazy ones.”

“We started putting milk and cookies in the film room just to test it,” said one assistant coach. “Next morning? Gone. All of it. But somehow the playbook was full of glitter.”

Fans have long suspected something jolly about Bielema — the rosy cheeks, the booming laugh, the mysterious way he lands four-star recruits out of nowhere. Sources close to the program say his offseason “North Pole retreat” might not be code for recruiting after all.

Insiders also point to the uncanny resemblance between his play-calling strategy and Santa’s global delivery plan: slow start, long drive, miracle finish.

When reached for comment, Bielema chuckled and said only, “Ho-ho-Hail to the Orange.”

Until proven otherwise, one thing’s for sure — come December, nobody spreads more holiday cheer (or defensive pressure) than Coach Claus himself. Just ask South Carolina head coach, Shane Beamer.