One week before opening the 2015 season on September 4, Illinois has fired head football coach Tim Beckman.
University of Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas announced Friday on the team's website that Beckman was being dismissed following an internal investigation into the well-being of student-athletes:
The preliminary information external reviewers shared with me does not reflect our values or our commitment to the welfare of our student-athletes, and I've chosen to act accordingly. During the review, we have asked people not to rush to judgment, but I now have enough information to make this decision in assessing the status and direction of the football program.
Ralph D. Russo of the Associated Press provided a statement from Beckham:
I am shocked and disappointed by the decision Mike Thomas and the University of Illinois made todayI firmly deny the implications in Mike's statements that I took any action that was not in the best interests of the health, safety and well-being of my players. The health and well-being of our SAs is of paramount importance. The University's actions ... are in violation of the procedures mandated under my employment agreement. I will vigorously defend both my reputation and my legal rights."
Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune reported Beckman will not receive the final $3.1 million left on the two remaining years of his contract or any buyout money.
Thomas said, per Jon Solomon of CBS Sports, that firing Beckman was his call.
Thomas also announced that offensive coordinator Bill Cubit will take over as head coach on an interim basis. Cubit has been on Beckman's staff since 2013.
"Everybody's got to rally together," Cubit said, per Solomon.
In May, per ESPN.com's Mitch Sherman, former Illinois offensive lineman Simon Cvijanovic alleged in a series of Twitter posts that Beckman used and abused his position of power, urging his lineman to play through injuries and dismissing him after various injuries prevented him from playing football again.
Peter Bailey-Wells of the Daily Illini spoke to former Illinois defensive back Nick North, who called Beckman "the worst coach I ever met." Former Illinois player Akeem Spence added to that when he tweeted "Illinois just got better!"
At that point, the National College Players Association requested Illinois conduct an investigation into the claims by Cvijanovic.
Ryan added that Illinois' release "notes 90-plus people interviewed by the Franczek Radelet law firm and 200,000 documents have been reviewed so far."
"It's a large operation, and I think you have several layers," Thomas said, per Solomon, about not knowing about the allegations. "Everybody needs to be held accountable."
"At this point in time, none of the other coaches have been implicated in the review," Thomas added, per Solomon.
Thomas also noted, per Solomon, that he's "confident in the program he's leading" when asked about his job security.
Beckman's firing Friday provides more credence to the allegations levied against him, with Thomas saying a preliminary briefing led to findings of efforts to deter injury reporting and convincing players to postpone treatment to play despite injuries.
Illinois hired Beckman in 2012 after he spent three seasons as head coach at Toledo. He went 12-25 in three seasons with the program, making one bowl appearance in 2014.
The Illini open play next Friday at home against Kent State.
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