Illinois has fired football coach Tim Beckman one week before the start of the season, citing preliminary results of an investigation into allegations of player mistreatment and inappropriate behavior.
Athletic director Mike Thomas said Friday that the timing is unfortunate, but ``it was in the best interests of student-athletes to act now rather than when a final report is issued and publicly released.'' He says that could happen during the season.
Beckman's sudden firing as head football coach at the University of Illinois is costing him millions. He will not receive more than $3 million remaining on the final two years of his contract or the $743,000 buyout
Former starting lineman Simon Cvijanovic complained first on Twitter on May 9 and in numerous interviews that Beckman and his staff had tried to shame him into playing hurt misled him about medical procedures following a knee injury.
Beckman was 12-25 at Illinois, improving the team's record each season. The Illini went 6-7 last year.