IL fired Beckman a year ago this week, and now Beckman is a volunteer coach for Fedora at North Carolina.
Advertisement
There’s no telling whether Beckman, who worked alongside Fedora when the two were coordinators at Oklahoma State during the 2007 season, will be making the trip to Champaign for that game on September 10. Beckman was sacked by the Fighting Illini on August 28, 2015 following a school investigation that concluded that the coach influenced medical decisions and pressured players to play hurt.
Former University of IL football coach Tim Beckman was sacked by ex Illini Athletic Director Mike Thomas eight days before the 2015 college football season began.
Former Illinois coach Tim Beckman is working as a volunteer assistant at No. 22 North Carolina.
Adding to the intrigue, North Carolina plays at IL on September 10.
During a Wednesday press conference, Fedora said he understood that some people would furrow their brows about his decision to have Beckman volunteer his time watching film of UNC’s opponents in order to help the Tar Heels prepare for games. Fedora said Wednesday that he was “very comfortable” with bringing Beckman – whom he called a “friend” in both Wednesday remarks and his Thursday statement – to Chapel Hill, and that Beckman was sacked by IL in part because he “didn’t win enough games”. Beckman said the reaction was too strong, Cunningham said it was the right move from him to move on and Folt had strong words pointed at both her AD and head football coach. “I know Tim, I know his side of the story, also”, Fedora said.
There was an apparent disconnect between Folt and UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham, because Beckman had been with the Tar Heels since they started training camp earlier this month. Fedora said of Beckman, via The News & Observer.
“I promise you, I didn’t see anywhere where the NCAA said he should be banished from the game of football”, Fedora said. North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham had approved Fedora’s decision to bring him on as a volunteer assistant and his arrival, and Beckman’s presence nearly went unnoticed.
The Tar Heels beat the Illini 48-14 at home last season with Bill Cubit serving as Illinois’ interim coach.
Fedora defended his decision to bring Beckman onto his staff Wednesday after several media outlets reported his presence.
Marc Weiszer: Expert punt returner Ryan Switzer is set to challenge UGA’s punter Marshall Long in the season opener in Atlanta.
Advertisement
Stay on topic – This helps keep the thread focused on the discussion at hand.
