University of Illinois' head football coach Tim Beckman was dismissed Friday following allegations of player mistreatment.
The news comes just one week before the beginning of the team's season.
Univeristy of Illinois Athletics Director Mike Thomas said the move was "in the best interests 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,” Thomas said in a statement. “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 said the findings, which have not yet been released in a report, included efforts to deter injury reporting and influence medical decisions that pressured players to avoid or postpone medical treatment or continue to play despite injuries. He also said in some instances student-athletes were treated inappropriately and told they couldn't remain on scholarship during the spring semester of their senior year if they weren't 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.”
Earlier this year, former Illinois football player Simon Cvijanovic said Beckman and his staff pressured him to play hurt and misled him about an injury. The university hired a Chicago law firm to investigate those allegations and other, similar charges raised by another former player, Nick North.
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Beckman will not receive the $3.1 million remaining on the last two years of his original five-year contract or the $743,00 called for if his contract had been bought out.
Beckman’s record in three years as head coach was 12-25 overall, 4-20 in Big Ten Conference games. He led Illinois to the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl in December 2014.
Thomas said Bill Cubit, who joined the Illini coaching staff as offensive coordinator in 2013, has been named interm coach for the 2015 season. Thomas said the external review did not indicate any findings related to Coach Cubit.
