Illinois fires football coach Tim Beckman amid player mistreatment allegations

Illinois fired head football coach Tim Beckman on Friday, one week before the team starts the 2015 season.

The firing is a result of allegations against Beckman of player mistreatment and inappropriate behavior. Beckman allegedly deterred injury reporting and pressured players to play hurt and get treatment afterwards, according to the Associated Press. Former offensive lineman Simon Cvijanovic made complaints of similar allegations on Twitter in May. There was also some instances where players were treated inappropriately when it came time to determine whether they could remain on scholarship during the spring semester of their senior year if they weren’t on the team.

"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. "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."

Beckman had two years left on his five-year contract with the school. He will not get the $3.1 million in salary that is remaining on his contract. In three season at Illinois he was 12-25 and 4-20 in in the Big Ten conference, according to ESPN. Illinois was 6-7 last year.

Bill Cubit, the team’s offensive coordinator, will be the team’s interim head coach. Illinois opens the season next Friday against Kent State.

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