Illinois reaches settlement with former head coach Tim Beckman

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

Illinois has reached a $250,000 settlement with former head coach Tim Beckman, the school announced Tuesday.

Beckman was fired just one week before the Fighting Illini’s season opener last year after he was alleged to have mistreated players and forced some to play hurt. The settlement came in an effort to avoid a lawsuit, which Beckman had threatened after his firing.

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

"The university stands by its decision to terminate Coach Beckman for cause, but recognizes that terminating him without cause was another possible alternative," the school said in a statement.

Illinois also settled for $375,000 with seven former women’s basketball players, who claimed to have been racially discriminated against by their coaching staff.

– Kenny Ducey

Add us as a preferred source on Google