The Fighting Illini on Friday announced the firing of head coach Tim Beckman less than a week before the team's season-opener against Kent State. FootballScoop was the first with the news, and the school confirmed the move shortly thereafter, citing "preliminary results of an external review" into various allegations involving the universities football program.
"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," Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas said. "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."
Thomas called the timing "unfortunate," but said that based on "preliminary findings" it was in the athlete's best interests that Beckman be relieved of his duties now. Beckman has, at numerous points in the past, been accused of abuse and mistreatment by various former Illinois players. One of the players, former Illinois offensive lineman Simon Cvijanovic, claimed that the mishandling of a knee injury he suffered as a member of the team under Beckman would follow him for the rest of his life.
Chief amongst the violations discovered by Thomas during his review were "efforts to deter injury reporting and influence medical decisions that pressured players to avoid or postpone medical treatment and continue playing despite injuries."
Thomas also revealed that some athletes were treated "inappropriately" if they attempted to stay on scholarship during the spring semester of their senior year if they were no longer on the team.
"Both of those findings are unsettling violations of University policy and practice and do not reflect the culture that we wish to create in athletic programs for our young people," Thomas said. "I expect my coaches to protect players and foster their success on and off the field."
Beckman will not receive the final $3.1 million remaining on his contract. Per Thomas, offensive coordinator Bill Cubit will take over as interim head coach in Beckman's absence.
