Update: Tim Beckman releases statement, steps down from position at UNC.
Here's the full statement from Tim Beckman, who is leaving UNC: pic.twitter.com/bEbhaKY7XF
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) August 25, 2016
Former University of Illinois football coach Tim Beckman was fired by ex Illini Athletic Director Mike Thomas eight days before the 2015 college football season began. Beckman responded with a statement that was very defiant and combative, as the former football leader sought a severance package that he believed he was due.
In April, Tim Beckman settled out of court with the University of Illinois. So he’s been paid $250,000 and take heed of that fact as Becks now begins working as a volunteer assistant at #22 North Carolina.
Of course, Tim Beckman and UNC come to Champaign for a night game under the lights in week two. Thus you know have your top storyline for that game. The Tar Heels beat Illinois 48-14 at home in the preconference last season.
Here’s the joint statement from April sent out by both parties in full.
Statement regarding agreement with former Coach Tim Beckman
“The University of Illinois and former Coach Tim Beckman announced today that they have reached a negotiated resolution of potential legal claims relating to Coach Beckman’s termination in August 2015. In resolving these matters, the university and Coach Beckman seek to avoid protracted and costly litigation that would by necessity require the involvement of a number of current and former student-athletes, as well as coaches, staff, trainers, and team physicians. This resolution allows the university to avoid the distraction of pending litigation and to focus instead on the well-being of student-athletes in the program. At the same time, Coach Beckman can resume his career without protracted litigation. The resolution involves a one-time payment of $250,000 to Beckman, who will release all claims he may have had against the university.
The university stands by its decision to terminate Coach Beckman for cause, but recognizes that terminating him without cause was another possible alternative. In deciding to terminate Coach Beckman, the university relied on preliminary findings that were eventually included in the Report issued by Franczek Radelet, an independent investigating law firm, concerning the management of sports injuries and scholarships in the football program. Throughout the investigation, Coach Beckman cooperated with all requests for information and answered all questions. During the investigation and in the wake of the Report, the university made a number of programmatic changes focused on safeguards for student-athletes in football and other sports.
In addition, as stated on page 25 of the Report, “[m]any players interviewed reported positive experiences with injury assessment, treatment, recovery periods, and return-to-play decisions. In addition, Coach Beckman attempted to help players stay healthy and avoid injuries by repeatedly discussing health topics. When players were seriously injured, Coach Beckman made efforts to assist them by visiting players in the hospital after surgery and taking time to console players about the challenge of being unable to play.” Further, the Report found no evidence that any student-athlete suffered the loss of a scholarship for poor performance during Coach Beckman’s tenure.
Coach Beckman states unequivocally that, during his tenure as head football coach, he made a substantial contribution to the lives of student-athletes he coached and to the university’s football program. The university concurs that Coach Beckman implemented many initiatives that achieved positive student-athlete experiences, including improved academic performance and leadership training. From the fall of 2012 until the spring semester of 2015, for example, the players’ average grade point average increased from 2.60 to 2.90. On the field, the team showed improvement, going from a 2-10 record in his first season to a 6-7 record and bowl appearance in his final season.
The university wishes Coach Beckman well, and Coach Beckman wishes the university, the football program, and the university’s student-athletes continued success.”
A couple months after Tim Beckman was dismissed, his former employer, Thomas was also canned. And of course, Beckman’s successor, Bill Cubit, was also jettisoned in March and replaced by Lovie Smith. It’s amazing how far Illini football and Illini athletics has come with Lovie Smith and Josh Whitman now running the show.
Going from Tim Beckman to Lovie Smith, and Mike Thomas to Josh Whitman is like waiting desperately in the airport on standby, and then receiving a first first class ticket. Or, to quote rap song, “started from the bottom now we here.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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