Illinois Fires Head Coach Beckman

The Illinois Fighting Illini open their football schedule in one week against Kent State at home. However, seven days before the kickoff to 2015, they are looking for a new head coach.

Tim Beckman was relieved of his duties on Friday by Athletic Director Mike Thomas. Thomas issued a statement saying the dismissal was related to preliminary results of an external review into allegations that included avoiding the reporting of players' injuries.

Former Illini player Simon Cvijanovic raised similar allegations on Twitter in May, leading to the university's launch of the review, which is not yet complete, according to ESPN's Brian Bennett.

In the statement Thomas said: "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."

Under Beckman's three years as head coach the Illini posted a dismal 4-20 record in the Big Ten and a 12-25 record overall. It's worth mentioning that Beckman did improve the Illini every year from two wins in 2012, to six wins in 2014 which included a berth in the Heart of Dallas bowl where Illinois was defeated by Louisiana Tech 35-18.

According to Bennett, Bill Cubit, who was hired as offensive coordinator in 2013, will take over as the team's interim coach for the 2015 season, pending approval by the board of trustees.