CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tim Beckman was named coach at Illinois on Friday.
“We will work tirelessly in building the football program to compete for Big Ten and national championships, and be a source of pride for Fighting Illini fans across the nation,” Beckman said. “It’s not broken, it isn’t. This is a gold mine. You can win at the University of Illinois.”
Beckman replaces Ron Zook, who was fired last month after seven seasons. Illinois started 6-0, but carries a six-game losing streak into the Dec. 31 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against UCLA. Zook was paid about $2.6 million to buy out the last two years of his contract.
Beckman, who agreed to a five-year deal worth $9 million plus potential bonuses for bowl games and additional benchmarks, comes to Illinois after three seasons at Toledo, where he was 21-16 overall. The Rockets went 8-4 this season and will play in the Dec. 28 Military Bowl against Air Force. Toledo offensive coordinator Matt Campbell will coach the Rockets against the Falcons pending a search for Beckman’s replacement.
Autopsy: Enlarged heart caused death
CORVALLIS, Ore. — A medical examiner said Oregon State defensive tackle Fred Thompson, who collapsed and died during a pickup basketball game Wednesday, had an enlarged heart.
Dr. Karen Gunson said the 19-year-old had increased thickness of the heart muscle, which can cause an irregular heartbeat during strenuous exercise. She said the condition is a common cause of death in young athletes who seem completely healthy but die during heavy exercise.
Thompson’s family asked that his skin, bones and eyes be donated.
Footnotes.
Ohio State asked for and received NCAA approval to exceed the limit of coaches on staff through the Jan. 2 Gator Bowl against Florida as it transitions from Luke Fickell to incoming coach Urban Meyer. Iowa State assistant Tom Herman joined the staff as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
• Houston, which is moving from Conference USA to the Big East in 2013, announced plans to build a football stadium, and officials hope to break ground within 10 months.
The Associated Press
