UPDATE (2:31 p.m.): This seems bad:
Illinois found Tim Beckman deterred injury reporting & influenced players to avoid or postpone medical treatment & continue playing
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) August 28, 2015
Bill Cubit, Illinois' offensive coordinator, will be the interim coach. Beckman will not collect his $3.1 million when he passes "GO" either.
UPDATE (2:27 p.m.): It's official, per an Illinois statement:
URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Director of Athletics Mike Thomas dismissed head football coach Tim Beckman on Friday, citing preliminary results of an external review into allegations involving the program.
Thomas said the timing is unfortunate with the season one week away. But based on preliminary findings, he said, it was in the best interests of student-athletes to act now rather than when a final report is issued and publicly released, which likely will occur during the season.
“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. “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 he has met with players and staff to inform them of the decision and reiterated that the health and well-being of student-athletes is the top priority throughout the athletic department’s 21 programs.
During a preliminary briefing from the external reviewers, Thomas said he learned of efforts to deter injury reporting and influence medical decisions that pressured players to avoid or postpone medical treatment and continue playing despite injuries. He also said in some instances student-athletes were treated inappropriately with respect to whether they could 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.”
Illinois has called a 4 p.m. ET press conference on the matter. It will be streamed at FightingIllini.com.
The Big Ten just got better.
Illinois has fired head football coach Tim Beckman, according to FootballScoop.com
Though the ironclad reasons are not yet known, it's likely due to the internal investigation about allegations made against Beckman about his treatment of student-athletes.
Source: @FootballScoop
