Illinois Fires Head Football Coach

A week before the start of the college football season, Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas announced the firing of head football coach Tim Beckman, after a clearly long investigation...Thomas saying, "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."

Beckman has been under investigation since allegations came out about him pressuring offensive lineman Simon Cvijanovic to play while injured, and that he misled Cvijanovic about the severity of his injuries...

The investigation not only showed Beckman had influenced medical decisions , but also threatened to withdraw scholarships from players during their senior year, after they had finished the football season...

Thomas added, "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. I expect my coaches to protect players and foster their success on and off the field."

After finding out Beckman had been fired, Simon Cvijanovic told the Associated Press, "All I can say right now is I think it's a step in the right direction. It seems like there's more than just Beckman that needs to be held accountable."

Former Illinois defensive tackle, and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Akeem Spence said via Twitter,  "Illinois just got better !!!#illini"

Offensive Coordinator Bill Cubit will be the interim head coach for this season...

Beckman will not be getting the $3.1 million left on his contract, nor will he be getting $743,000 if he were to be bought out...In 3 season at Illinois he had a 12-25 record and 1 bowl appearance...

Based on what seems to be happening at Illinois...And the fact that Beckman is a loser, with a losing team, I'm totally in agreement with giving this TOOL his walking papers...But considering Cvijanovic came forward with his claims in May, I would have thought a place of higher-learning would have setup a timetable for their investigation, with a deadline...Because firing your head football coach a week before their sorry asses get rolled by little Kent State makes you look like there is still a shit-load of dysfunction going on there!